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Question

Hi,Thank you for your anticipated help.1. Which noun should I use after the word "all"? In almost all cases, the two can be used to mean the same?all inputall inputs2. How can you punctuate this? Is the punctuation as done here correct?more free-trade minded countries

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

1. The real question is whether "input" is a mass noun or a count noun. In most cases it is a mass noun, so "input" would usually be best. But it is just barely possible that you want the reader to think of individual acts of making input, considered one at a time; in that case "inputs" would be okay. It seems unusual to me, however. Another possibility for considering the individual inputs one at a time that does not sound as awkward to me would be "each input".

2. Not all English speakers agree on hyphen usage, and there is a trend toward using them less often. But I would put "free-trade-minded". The reason is that "trade-minded" is a single word made up of a noun plus an adjective. Normally, "free trade" is written without a hyphen (He favors a policy of free trade), but once you attach "trade" to "minded" I think it becomes necessary to attach "free" to "trade". Otherwise, the reader might understand that you were speaking of countries which were both free and trade-minded.

Gary Williams

Believer · Answer

Thank you.

Can you or any other knowledgeable person out there tell me how you would punctuate this? I found this on a menu sheet of TOGO'S, which I think is a famous chain of eateries based in America.

Call 24 hours a head for party size footer sandwiches

Marius Hancu · Answer

1. Both can be used, but depending on the context. You must gradually learn what is used where.

All (the) input (information, briefs) which I received in this matter will be used in your defense [I'am a lawyer talking to you, my client]

All (the) inputs available on this TV set must be used during its operation [talking about signal inputs, jacks]

2. more free-trade-minded countries
[strictly speaking, you need another hyphen there]

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Can you or any other knowledgeable person out there tell me how you would punctuate this? I found this on a menu sheet of TOGO'S, which I think is a famous chain of eateries based in America.

Call 24 hours a head for party size footer sandwiches

Call 24 hours ahead for party-size footer sandwiches.

I don't know what a footer sandwich is. I know what a foot-long sandwich is.

Menus are not usually great examples of correct English.

Best wishes, Clive

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