Which of the following alternatives is grammatically correct?
2019
Which of the following alternatives is grammatically correct?
- A.
All these men are gentle.
- B.
All these man are gentle.
- C.
All this men are gentle.
- D.
All these mans are gentle.
Attempted by 21 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
A demonstrative adjective must agree in number with the noun it points to. "this/that" are singular and modify a singular noun; "these/those" are plural and modify a plural noun. The noun itself must also carry the correct plural form, and the verb must agree with that subject in number.
Applying it here
"man" is an irregular noun whose plural is "men" (not "mans").
Because the people are plural, the sentence needs the plural noun "men," the plural demonstrative "these," and the plural verb "are."
All these men are gentle. satisfies every requirement: "these" (plural) + "men" (plural) + "are" (plural) all agree.
Contrast with the near-misses
"All these man are gentle." pairs plural "these" with singular "man" — number disagreement.
"All this men are gentle." pairs singular "this" with plural "men" — number disagreement.
"All these mans are gentle." uses the invalid plural "mans" — wrong noun form.
Only the version with "these," "men," and "are" is fully consistent in number.