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English is weird
Aimless:
I think it's less jarring because the word "police" can be both singular and plural, while the word "army" is singular. Moreover, the army is usually seen as a single monolithic institution while in this example it's implied that you have a bunch of police officers diligently investigating a murder.
Thrillho:
I was observing to my Polish housemate the other day that the exact same phrase in English can have totally opposite meanings depending on tone of voice.
The example I used was 'Can we not do that?'
In fact it's not even just tone, but facial expression. Sour faced expression 'Can we not do that?' means 'I don't want to do that.' Wry grin expression 'Can we not do that?' means 'I do want to do that.'
Also, in London vernacular, 'allow it' means 'stop it,' which is LITERALLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT 'ALLOW IT' MEANS
LTK:
--- Quote from: Aimless on 09 Dec 2013, 03:33 ---I think it's less jarring because the word "police" can be both singular and plural, while the word "army" is singular. Moreover, the army is usually seen as a single monolithic institution while in this example it's implied that you have a bunch of police officers diligently investigating a murder.
--- End quote ---
I think you've got it wrong. Why not consider each individual soldier and support staff in the army like you consider the police officers and clerks?
Police' is an uncountable noun, while 'army' is a countable noun, but that doesn't explain anything further. "The information have been collected" doesn't work, for example, nor does "The money are arrived."
The same discussion is being had here.
BeoPuppy:
--- Quote from: Gareth on 09 Dec 2013, 03:39 ---[...]
Also, in London vernacular, 'allow it' means 'stop it,' which is LITERALLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT 'ALLOW IT' MEANS
--- End quote ---
Could you give an example of how that is supposed to work?
GarandMarine:
I second Beo's request for an example.
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