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Single Idea 12864

[from 'Parts' by Peter Simons, in 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / a. Parts of objects ]

Full Idea

There are four cases of possible forms of expression when a is made up of b: we say 'b is part of a', or 'b is a part of a', or 'b are a part of a', or 'b are parts of a'.

Gist of Idea

We say 'b is part of a', 'b is a part of a', 'b are a part of a', or 'b are parts of a'.

Source

Peter Simons (Parts [1987], 6.4)

Book Reference

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.234


A Reaction

Personally I don't want to make much of these observations of normal English usage, but they are still interesting, and Simons offers a nice discussion of them.