Continuing the previous subject, let's talk more about the usage of numbers with the verb in singular and plural. If we take the follwoing example:
"Kaksi poikaa juoksee kadulla" and "Kaksi poikaa juoksevat kadulla".
The verb is used in the singular in the first example meaning that "Kaksi poikaa" refers to some unidentified, unspecified group of (two) boys part of a bigger group of (possibly whole set of) boys. The plural form usage in the second example implies that there are only two of the boys in that particular context (which is missing in our example). To take another example, the sentence "Perheen kaksi poikkaa ovat ulkomailla" implies that there are only two boys in the family, and all of them are abroad.The same way: "Neljä pohjoismaata osallistui kongressiin" implies that there exist more than four nordic countries, while saying "Viisi pohjoismaata osallistuivat kongressiin" also tells us that there are exactly five nordic countries and all of them took part in the congress.
Thanks to H-M for these clarifycations.
2 comments:
"Neljä pohjoismaata osallistui kongressiin"
A part (of 4) of the Nordic countries WAS sitting in congress.
"Viisi pohjoismaata osallistuivat kongressiin"
(All) five of the Nordic countries WERE sitting in congress.
It doesn't seem so spectacular to me that a part should be singular and all should be plural.
One of the traits of Uralic languages is that numbers are followed by the singular. In Finnish and Estonian it is easy to explain the partitive singular, that follows the number, as a single part of a larger whole.
If the partitive case were used in the plural the implication would be that the number of parts was undefined.
Join kaljoija. I was drinking (of the) beers. The indication is that most likely there were several brands, sources or times.
Join kaljaa. I was drinking beer. The likely indication is as in English, a single source or time.
Join viisi kaljaa. I drank 5 of the beer(s). This is a definite part of the total available or a single 5 beer part.
It seems it works in English too at least colloquially. I drank five beer. (North America)
Kiitos infosta! Todella mielenkiintoinen!
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