Behavior or behaviors

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niels.ellegaard@gmail.com - 02 Jan 2006 10:47 GMT

Dear great masters

A friend of mine is writing a physics article. She has been examining a
series of (physical) systems, and found that these systems do not
behave the same. Which of the following two sentences is correct:

The systems show a variety of behavior.

The systems show a variety of behaviors.

Thanks in advance

Niels

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Molly Mockford - 02 Jan 2006 11:23 GMT

At 02:47:08 on Mon, 2 Jan 2006, niels.ellegaard@gmail.com wrote in
<1136198828.126315.190770@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>:

>A friend of mine is writing a physics article. She has been examining a
>series of (physical) systems, and found that these systems do not
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>The systems show a variety of behaviors.

Both sentences use the American spelling "behavior", whereas you are
asking in a group which focusses on UK English, in which we use the
spelling "behaviour". However, if the rest of the article is in US
English spelling, it is best to remain consistent.

I would recommend the second version, since each behaviour is individual
to the relevant system. "A variety of behaviour" would be more likely
to refer to one system (or, indeed, person) exhibiting a range of
different behaviour at different times. Presumably each system is
consistent in its own behaviour, so the plural is the best choice.

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Molly Mockford
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety - Benjamin Franklin
(My Reply-To address *is* valid, though may not remain so for ever.)

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Discussion Groups / British English / January 2006

Behavior or behaviors