Here's one for you grammarians

[desperance]

In the phrase "all manner of", is the word 'manner' singular as it appears, or is it some kind of hidden plural? Does one say "There was all manner of ways", or "There were all manner of ways"?

Comments

[danjite.livejournal.com]

Damnably so.

I adore fresh figs and would trade all the durian, jackfruit, jujube and longan in the world for good figs.

Thailand has over 300 varities of fig tree and not a single damn one of them bears an edible fruit!

Grump!

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Thailand has over 300 varities of fig tree and not a single damn one of them bears an edible fruit!

Now, see, when I first read yr previous comment, I thought "oh, and guess who lives where he can wander out and pick one, snarl, mutter...!"

And then I thought, "Hang on, that would be me! At least, I have seen figs on neighbours' trees..."

But then I confess that I did assume it would be you too. I am duly astonished. 300, you say. Lawks. I have two ficus benjamina as house plants, and I never expected them to fruit, but I'd have thought you'd have something...

How's NZ, in the fig-growing way?

[danjite.livejournal.com]

I can confirm the Brown Turkey and French Sugar varieties are grown there, but cannot confirm if they are in sufficient quantity to be commercialy available.

I shall drown my sorrows in lamb chops!