<p>I can’t find the rule - which sounds better or is correct?</p>
<p>“not merely become another number”</p>
<p>“not become merely another number”</p>
<p>Thanks English nerds.</p>
<p>I would think both are correct. What’s the whole sentence?</p>
<p>EDiT: Reading it again, I would use the 2nd one.</p>
<p>the whole sentence:</p>
<p>The moderate-sized undergraduate population and small class sizes ensure that I will be able to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the university and not become merely another number.</p>
<p>I think the 2nd one is right too…just wanting to make sure…I thought there was a rule or something.</p>
<p>Both are correct but offer a subtle difference in meaning.</p>
<p>become merely…You are becoming something, but what are you becoming? Merely a number? The fact that you are becoming something is a given; the emphasis is on WHAT you are becoming…merely a number.</p>
<p>merely becoming…You are ONLY (merely) becoming a number…it is an inconsequential thing that you are MERELY doing that, as opposed to becoming something bigger and grander.</p>
<p>Does this make sense?</p>
<p>You’re splitting hairs. There is a subtle difference but not a grammatical one - this is a case of craftsmanship and finesse. Either will work.</p>
<p>good deal i’ll use the 2nd.</p>
<p>One question: Do vs. Does</p>
<p>What’s the difference? In most cases, I instantly know which one to use, but there are those few moments where both “sound” correct whereas both sound awkward when compared to the other. :/</p>
<p>A somewhat embarrassing question, but after using it for a decade and never contemplating these words itself since preschool - 1st grade, you start to lose sense of it all.</p>
<p>Do vs. does? It’s just conjugation of a verb. I/you/we/you/they do, he/she/it does.</p>