PLURAL VERSUS SINGULAR MEASUREMENTS RATIONALE

 

Wow! I actually remembered to write this. The wonders will never cease. The main thesis in this treatise will seek to explain my rationale for using the plural relative to measuring distance, diameter, weight, and volume.

 

When I worked in the engineering field for 29 years, there was always a controversial area germane to measuring various things. I continually clashed with engineers, mathematicians and other fellow travelers. Like most of my views, I have always stood alone in most cases.

 

I shall now state my contention. When one measures something, one must use the plural when the measurement is more than 1 unit. Let me use an example. The following controversial examples went on for 29 years. As part of my job, I often had to measure diameters of various pipes such as culverts. If, for example, the diameter measured 48 inches i.e. 4 feet, I would always say it is a 4 feet pipe. The other engineers would say, "No, it is a 4 foot pipe or 48 inch pipe." I would insist on feet or inches and would both orally and written refer to the plural.

 

Now, follow my rationale. Look at your feet right now. You will see 2 FEET. If you cover one of your feet, what do you now see? One FOOT. Am I not correct? Of course I am. Now, relative to the "foot" measure, our system of measure is based someone's foot size back in antiquity. Therefore, as I just pointed out, the plural of "foot" is "feet" which is more than one "foot". I think we call can agree on that, I trust. Now, if something is 4 feet, that is the plural of "foot". If something is exactly 1 foot, than it is one foot in length. Can we all agree on that? All right, if a culvert is more than 1 foot in diameter, it is referred to as "feet" correct.

 

Now let us apply this same rationale for other measurements. If some thing weighs 1 ton, that is the singular, if something weighs more than 1 ton, that is plural, correct? So then, if something weighs 4 tons, then it is 4 tons! Not 4 "ton". It always aggravates me when someone refers to more than 1 ton as "ton", i.e., that culvert weighs 4 "ton". UGGGHHH

 

Now, I will take an example of inconsistency of the people who ague with me about the plural. If something contains 1 ounce, it is singular. If some thing contains more than 1 ounce, then my position states it has to be the plural, i.e. "ounces". These same "singular people" always refer to it as ounces. For example, they say that glass has 3 ounces of liquid in it. Ah Huhhh! I then point out their inconsistency, which proves my contention! Get it? Whenever, I pointed out this blatant inconsistency, all the other engineers would ignore it and insist on using their incorrect references.

 

In conclusion, I believe their insistence in continuing their errors is based on a lifetime of incorrect usage of others. I have always stood contrary to the "herd mentality". I have always been my own man and have never followed the crowd especially when I know I'm right. Oh Uhhh! It just occurred to me that I forgot to take my morning pills. I have to take 6 PILLS every morning, NOT 6 PILL.

I REST MY CASE...