The bottom line is that if you want to treat "software" as plural, then you
need to use another word, such as "programs" or "applications" or
"solutions."
--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org
"L. Mohan Arun" wrote in message
...
To prove that Word 2003 does not consider software as a "singular" try
both these sentences:
Not all html editor software are created equal
Not all html editor software is created equal
Both do not get flagged for any error.
The first is incorrect. The second is correct.
So how do you explain that Word does not flag the first sentence as
incorrect grammar? This is more about Word's grammar recognition than
about English usage..
Here is another reference which clearly needs a plural reference for
"software"
"Other web site maker software are often bloated"
That doesn't make any sense at all -- I can't even tell what you are
trying to say.
It makes sense as is. A reference to all the other web site maker
software out there - clearly that is plural - a "collective noun" -
Word finds fault with the 'are" and wants to change it to "Other web
site maker software is often bloated". I want to say that all the
other software are bloated except this one.
Here too, Word finds fault with the "are".
That is the least of the problems.
It is a problem nonetheless... I dont agree that it is "least of the
problems".