1. AlexSivier

    AlexSivier New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2011
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Kyoto, Japan

    has/ have elapsed

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by AlexSivier, Mar 14, 2012.

    This may be a really stupid question, but why does "10 seconds has elapsed since..." sound right to me?
    Surely it should be "have elapsed" for plural?
    I can't think of another example where a has/have mix-up sounds okay.
    Perhaps it's just my particular rural British vernacular
     
  2. digitig

    digitig Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    Messages:
    2,490
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Orpington, Bromley, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
    Ellipsis, I suspect. Our minds convert it to "[An interval of] ten seconds has elapsed since ..."
     
  3. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    sounds logical, dig!... when i say it aloud with 'has' that's how it 'feels'... but i'd more likely say/write it with 'have'...

    but why have anything between 'seconds' and 'elapsed' in the first place?

    why not simply 'ten seconds elapsed' or some other wording that won't require either 'has' or 'have'?
     
  4. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    Maybe had ?

    My thought is the full sentence would be ''ten seconds of time has elapsed since ...'' You've take the of time out for flow, but the has remains.

    OR

    ''ten seconds, had elapsed since ...'' May also work depending on the context.
     
  5. digitig

    digitig Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    Messages:
    2,490
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Orpington, Bromley, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
    That gives me problems with aspect. "Ten seconds elapsed" completed in the past, but adding "since" means we need an aspect that can be completing now. The past perfect gives us the required succession of events where the simple past doesn't.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice