Plural questions

[Xinfu]

-There are many people whose English name(s) is/are John etc.

Is the plural form optional? Would there be any difference in meaning?

[Rusty]

"Whose English name is John?" is a perfectly good question that you can put out to a group of people. There's no question that this is correct grammar.

In the sentence you wrote, the antecedent is 'people', which is plural. Even so, it is still proper to use "whose English name is John."

That said, I know that several people choose to switch to the plural usage if the antecedent is plural. A Google search of 'people whose name is' followed by a search of 'people whose names are' reveals that both forms are used. The former search has a higher hit count, so it is a more popular choice.

I believe that you can use either form and not 'break any rules'.

As far as having a different meaning, some would argue that we each have a name, so you should not say names. But if your focus is on the fact that we each have a given name and a surname, and some of us a middle name, or two last names, then 'whose names are' would make a better question because you're asking about more than one name, not a person's name as a whole.

[Xinfu]

Originally Posted by Rusty

"Whose English name is John?" is a perfectly good question that you can put out to a group of people. There's no question that this is correct grammar.

In the sentence you wrote, the antecedent is 'people', which is plural. Even so, it is still proper to use "whose English name is John."

That said, I know that several people choose to switch to the plural usage if the antecedent is plural. A Google search of 'people whose name is' followed by a search of 'people whose names are' reveals that both forms are used. The former search has a higher hit count, so it is a more popular choice.

I believe that you can use either form and not 'break any rules'.

As far as having a different meaning, some would argue that we each have a name, so you should not say names. But if your focus is on the fact that we each have a given name and a surname, and some of us a middle name, or two last names, then 'whose names are' would make a better question because you're asking about more than one name, not a person's name as a whole.

Thank you~

A long time ago, my teacher, a non-native speaker, told me we must say

-There are only a few people whose names I am not sure of.

but not in the singular form. Do you agree this particular sentence is a bit different from the one I gave. (I think they are different, though similar, but I can't think of a reason that this sentence is different, which difference binds us to the use of the plural.

[Rusty]

Here I would say 'name' instead of the plural form.

"Whose name do I not know?" is a perfectly good question that you can ask to a group of people.
Earlier, I said that there are those who think that if the antecedent is plural that they should choose a plural in the other clause. I am not of that opinion in this case, or in the other case you cited earlier.
In your sentence, the subject in the main clause is plural. Since many people would choose to use a plural in the other clause because the antecedent is plural, it's OK.

[Xinfu]

Thank you~ I will find some other questions about the plural~

[Xinfu]

Is S optional?:

-We had a great party and everyone enjoyed it very much. Then we went back to our respective room(s); then at 9 an alarm was given, and we learned a murder had happened.

[Rusty]

The 's' is not optional. The wording 'respective' means that there is more than one room.

[Xinfu]

Thank you~

I think the S is optional; do you agree?;

-Judging by people's accent(s), Londoners can tell what part of London they are from.

[wrholt]

No, the S is required in this case.

[Xinfu]

Thank you~

Each person could only give ONE like, is S optional?:

-There are many people who have given their like(s) to the video.