Expert: Leslie - 3/14/2010

Question
"The two programs are compatible because they are two different..."
(1) ... kind of product (response from www...com tech support)
(2) ... kinds of product (consistent with "two")
(3) ... kind of products
(4) ... kinds of products (the best from Russian language point of view)

Multiple choice: what is the (American) English best of the above please? Why?

Answer
Igor,

You will be pleased to know that the syntax of English and Russian are surprisingly similar. Your Russian rules of grammar often apply to English rules of grammar.

  "The two programs are compatible because they are two different..."

If you parse the sentence, that is if you look at the parts of speech and the parts of the sentence, you will see that you are looking for a subjective complement for the subordinate clause.

Because = subordinating conjunction
they = subject of clause and pronoun
are = predicate and linking verb
two = modifier to kinds, adjective
different = modifier to kinds, adjective

The answer has to be kinds (with the S) because it must agree with THEY, the subject.

The question of whether to use the plural for the object of the preposition, products, is one of interpretation of the word PRODUCT. In English, we can call a variety of offerings a product line although it may have 25 different items in it. If you think of programs as a form of product, then the singular is used. If you think of the programs as from two different product lines, then use the plural.

Since the English interpretation of the word product is confusing, and the sentence clearly indicates two programs, go with the plural or item (4)as the correct answer. (Yes! the Russian one)

I hope I was able to explain clearly why choice 4 was best.

Leslie