Each raise????? Isn't the word 'each' singular subject?
- From the script of Desperate Housewives
<Lynette comes upon Parker and Porter sitting outside of a classroom. They look up at her and each raise a hand in hello. Their hands and clothes are liberally splattered with blue paint.>
-> I've known 'each' is undoubtedly singular subject so I think the verb 'raise' should add 's'. Am I wrong? I've never seen 'each' would be considered as 'plural' ....like in this sentence.
Thanks a million.
I am OK with Each, Why? One could have kept their hand down. Yes, They "both" raised their hand. But the writer wanted to point out that this was not a joint decision between them. they separately made the choice to do the same thing.
They both separately decided to wave = They each waved = they waved separately.
February 20, 2012
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I think that, strictly, you are right, but it is a very common error. Languages do change with time.
Incidentally, 'outside of a classroom.' is bad English. In Britain, at least, the word 'of' should be omitted: outside a classroom is correct.
February 20, 2012
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Moonlight4u
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Khmer (Cambodian), Korean, Vietnamese
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Chinese (Mandarin), English, Khmer (Cambodian), Vietnamese