So, anyway. I have an initial question about semantics and may have subsequent questions as I prepare 6th-grade lesson plans on the matter. After that, we can just hang out, drinking beers, and talking about the sheer coolosity of plate tectonics. There are those of you out there who may think I'm joking. I'm not.
Semantics - which sentence is correct? I lean towards sentence number 1.
1. How does plate tectonics cause mountain building?
2. How do plate tectonics cause mountain building?
Perhaps quotes or italicization or using the word theory would help, otherwise the sentence is sound whether you're citing a specific theory or notÂ… so it looks like a double plural. (I should shut up, cause I know people like my Sis, Soz and Set all find my writing structure deplorable. ) I just came for the beer, thanks.
perhaps you better not listen to me ... but i have a bit of a problem with "mountain building" .
i would probably say : how do plate tectonics form mountains ?
hbg
plate tectonics
n.
1. (used with a sing. verb) A theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as seismicity, volcanism, continental drift, and mountain building in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth's lithospheric plates.
2. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The dynamics of plate movement.
Hamburger, this question is in a very VERY early stage of development. It's not even the first draft. I'll keep your comment in mind. And, thanks for the link.
*edit: that link goes to enchanted learning! A site I've often used!
The USGS, (bless their anal hearts) has a style manual for writing. AHEM.
"The theory of Plate Tectonics IS"
so qed
Plate Tectonics is resposnible for... (add horrible consequence here)
The plates ARE moving but they move in response to a mechanism which IS governing their movement.
I wish I had saved the Goddam URL that showed the migration of the Gondawanaland and subsequent plates as they diverged from the Permian through today. It was a very cool little movie and I stuck it on the lab computers at school. Maybe someone else saved it here. I think , way back, that it was either Realjohnboy, or Rosborne that originally posted the damn thing . Kids would love it .
) I just came for the beer, thanks.
)
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