Mistake with double verb,verb

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

kwan - 26 Jan 2010 19:43 GMT

Google has said it wants talks with the Chinese government about
solving its complaints

What do you think about the word "wants" and "talks"? Isn't it a
grammar error, is it?

Link to the original article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60L1DK20100126

Reply to this Message

James Hogg - 26 Jan 2010 19:47 GMT

> Google has said it wants talks with the Chinese government about
> solving its complaints
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Link to the original article:
> http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60L1DK20100126

It's correct. "Talk" can also be a noun, and in the plural it means
"discussions, negotiations".

Signature

James

Reply to this Message

musika - 26 Jan 2010 19:54 GMT

Here, "talks" is a plural noun, not a verb. Google wants to have talks...

Signature

Ray
UK

Reply to this Message

kwan - 26 Jan 2010 19:56 GMT

> Innews:62f9123f-faae-4475-b86f-79ca24d209a4@p24g2000yqm.googlegroups.com,
> kwan <kwan.ji...@gmail.com> typed:
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Ray
> UK

Thank you all, I see the point now.

Reply to this Message

Steve Hayes - 26 Jan 2010 23:32 GMT

>Google has said it wants talks with the Chinese government about
>solving its complaints
>
>What do you think about the word "wants" and "talks"? Isn't it a
>grammar error, is it?

I'd see more of a problem with "solving". I think "resolving" might be better.

Signature

Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://hayesfam.bravehost.com/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Reply to this Message

Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2010

Mistake with double verb,verb