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Wed 3 Dec, 2014 10:53 pm
Which one of the followings is correct?
1) The matrix B is the same as A except with the first and last rows being removed.
2) The matrix B is the same as A except with the first and last row being removed.
Some people argue that 1) is correct because there are "first row" and "last row". Therefore, it should be plural "rows".
Some argue that 2) is correct as it is the short form of "The matrix B is the same as A except with the first row and last row being removed." The first word "row" has been omitted for brevity only.
Can anyone please help?
Thanks.
@Frank2014,
I would say "first and last rows". There are two of them.
@Frank2014,
I assume you are trying to say,
"Matrix B is the same as A except that the first and last row
s of B have been removed".
The plural issue is trivial. The main mistake to me as a native speaker is to use of "being".