My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? - Education

My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? - Education - Nairaland

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My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 7:37pm On Jul 03, 2015

My Name Is....

My Names Are...

This has caused serious arguments between me and friends couple of times so i decided to bring it to the house.English Language Gurus and Linguists,what are your take on the above phrases,which is better and grammatically correct when introducing oneself.Hopefully we can all learn a thing or two from your inputs.

16 Likes

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by umar745(m): 7:39pm On Jul 03, 2015

Answers plz. I also wanna know

2 Likes 4 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by StarMogul(m): 7:40pm On Jul 03, 2015*

"My name is" is grammatically correct because it refers to a particular individual.

111 Likes 4 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Shortyy(f): 7:41pm On Jul 03, 2015

my name is Goodluck. my names are Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

119 Likes 11 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by delishpot: 7:42pm On Jul 03, 2015

My Name is

8 Likes 4 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Pineapp: 7:42pm On Jul 03, 2015

My "name is"=singular.

My "names are"=plural..

Both phrases are correct depending on the situation.

44 Likes 4 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Nobody: 7:44pm On Jul 03, 2015

Shortyy:
my name is Goodluck. my names are Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Exactly.....its concord..... "is" agrees with singular while "are" goes with plural.

13 Likes

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by STANPASQUAL(m): 7:46pm On Jul 03, 2015

My name is STANPASQUAL!! my names are Stan Pasqual!!

7 Likes 2 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by piicity(m): 7:49pm On Jul 03, 2015

Ishilove and misclassy oya come and tell us if you're sure you are very good in english

6 Likes 2 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 8:01pm On Jul 03, 2015*

Shortyy:
my name is Goodluck. my names are Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Something doesnt sound or look right about saying "my names are..."

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Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 8:02pm On Jul 03, 2015

piicity:
Ishilove and misclassy oya come and tell us if you're sure you are very good in english

And MizMycoli too wink

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by JigsawKillah(m): 8:03pm On Jul 03, 2015

My name na Jigsaw is correcter than una's grin

Quote me if I right

11 Likes

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Shortyy(f): 8:04pm On Jul 03, 2015

Djicemob:
Something doesnt sound or look right about saying my "my name are..."

my names are not "my name are" didn't you notice the s at the back of the name? jeeeez.

6 Likes

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 8:06pm On Jul 03, 2015*

elego1:
My name IS buhari.
my names ARE Muhammadu Buhari.

you use 'is' if u wanna say only ur first name or ur last name and u use 'are' if u wanna say ur full name.
If am wrong pls quote me.

But your name and your lastname is your identity representing you as a singular entity cheesy

323 Likes 24 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 8:07pm On Jul 03, 2015

Shortyy:
my names are not "my name are" didn't you notice the s at the back of the name? jeeeez.

It was actually a typo from me,I actually meant the name(s) with an S.

3 Likes

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Shortyy(f): 8:10pm On Jul 03, 2015

Djicemob:
It was actually a typo from me,I actually meant the name(s) with an S.

i just answered what you asked. if you are still confused, get an English tutor.

2 Likes

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 8:12pm On Jul 03, 2015

Shortyy:
i just answered what you asked. if you are still confused, get an English tutor.

Sorry Ma

42 Likes 1 Share

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Shortyy(f): 8:15pm On Jul 03, 2015

Djicemob:
Sorry Ma

good boy

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 8:16pm On Jul 03, 2015*

Shortyy:
good boy

Eh una too like quarrel grin

12 Likes

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Shortyy(f): 8:21pm On Jul 03, 2015

Djicemob:
Eh but una too like quarrel too much

no be you no wan understand undecided

2 Likes

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 8:26pm On Jul 03, 2015

Shortyy:
no be you no wan understand

Ok "my names are" Engr Icemob, can you be my shortyy? grin

19 Likes 2 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Shortyy(f): 8:33pm On Jul 03, 2015

Djicemob:
Ok "my names are" Engr Icemob, can you be my shortyy?

iranu

7 Likes 2 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by uchennamani(m): 9:00pm On Jul 03, 2015

Djicemob:
My Name Is....

My Names Are...

This has caused serious arguments between me and friends couple of times so i decided to bring it to house.English Language Gurus and Linguists,what are your take on the above phrases,which is better and grammatically correct when introducing oneself.Hopefully we can all learn a thing or two from your inputs.

Cc:Lalasticlala,Ishilove

They are both correct depending on the context in which it was used. My name is Uche but my names are Uche Nnamani. When asked his name during the Oputa Panel hearing by the chairman; Whole Soyinka replied:'my name is Wole'. The chairman became angry and Prof. Soyinka told him that he should asked him his names. Grammatically, the subject must agree with the verb. The noun subjects 'name or names' must go with its verb equivalents 'is or are' respectively. it is wrong to say ' My name is Uche Nnamani or my name are Uche.'

33 Likes 2 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by MizMyColi(f): 9:15pm On Jul 03, 2015

Djicemob:
And MizMycoli too

well, here's my reasoning...

In a sane world, no body has just one name.
The family is the smallest unit of human interactions and an emotional centre of sorts.

We'd all be lost if we had no family to identify with, which explains the reasons a sane human would normally crave for a sense of belonging....

Now this family you belong to has a name, that is first and foremost, who you are.

Which is why you don't hear people like Khloe Kardashian saying, "I am a Khloe"...but you can hear her saying "I am a Kardashian"
There's something about pedigree that speaks volumes of the stuff you're made of.

In other words, your surname and your name are dependent on each other and actually function as ONE when it comes to introducing yourself in a formal/semi-formal setting.

So, I'd rather go with my name IS Margaret Thatcher.
As far as identifying me is concerned, none is complete without the other.
I am Margaret and I'm a Thatcher.
In other words, my name is Margaret Thatcher.

"My names are" should, or, can be used when you need to make known your different names/titles, which to a very large extent are independent of the other.

For Example;

His name is Jehovah Elshaddai.

And

His names are Jehovah Elshaddai, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Nissi.....
Respectively.
You catch my drift?
wink

413 Likes 37 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Djicemob(op): 9:26pm On Jul 03, 2015

MizMyColi:
well, here's my reasoning...

In a sane world, no body has just one name.
The family is the smallest unit of human interactions and an emotional centre of sorts.

We'd all be lost if we had no family to identify with, which explains the reasons a sane human would normally crave for a sense of belonging....

Now this family you belong to has a name, that is first and foremost, who you are.

Which is why you don't hear people like Khloe Kardashian saying, "I am a Khloe"...but you can hear her saying "I am a Kardashian"
There's something about pedigree that speaks volumes of the stuff you're made of.

In other words, your surname and your name are dependent on each other and actually function as ONE when it comes to introducing yourself in a formal/semi-formal setting.

So, I'd rather go with my name IS Margaret Thatcher.
As far as identifying me is concerned, none is complete without the other.
I am Margaret and I'm a Thatcher.
In other words, my name is Margaret Thatcher.

"My names are" should, or, can be used when you need to make known your different names/titles, which to a very large extent are independent of the other.

For Example;

His name is Jehovah Elshaddai.

And

His names are Jehovah Elshaddai, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Nissi.....
Respectively.
You catch my drift?

You killed it cheesy

101 Likes 6 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Sanchez01: 9:28pm On Jul 03, 2015*

elego1:
My name IS buhari.
my names ARE Muhammadu Buhari.

you use 'is' if u wanna say only ur first name or ur last name and u use 'are' if u wanna say ur full name.
If am wrong pls quote me.

uchennamani:
They are both correct depending on the context in which it was used. My name is Uche but my names are Uche Nnamani. When asked his name during the Oputa Panel hearing by the chairman; Whole Soyinka replied:'my name is Wole'. The chairman became angry and Prof. Soyinka told him that he should asked him his names. Grammatically, the subject must agree with the verb. The noun subjects 'name or names' must go with its verb equivalents 'is or are' respectively. it is wrong to say ' My name is Uche Nnamani or my name are Uche.'

Unfortunately, both of you are wrong. There is no such thing as "my names are...". Here lemme explain;

1. The question is "What IS your NAME?": Note, the question did not come with the plural BrE+ form which in this regard would be "ARE". Hence, the question is directed to a singular form or entity (which is one person) and the answer would be singular as well. Therefore "My name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is most correct".

2. "Name" is a Noun but one's name is singular: This is quite complicated but simple at the same time. A name is an identity by which something is known or described as.

So, when we say "Names", we refer to several others but this is the tricky part; regardless of how many names you bear or carry, you are ONE person. Hence,, we refer to you as a singular entity and not belonging to the plurality class. Hermaphrodites who are even known to possess both male and female features are not pluralized.

Bearing the above in mind, it would imply that the several "NAMES" you have all belong to "ONE" person which is YOU. This is why it is proper to say "My name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan".

NB: Goodluck+Ebele+Jonathan are all names but they belong to ONE person, therefore it cannot be pluralized during introduction.

Finally, instead of saying "My names are" just say "My full name is..."
E.g;

Customs inspector: Would you please state your name?

Passenger: I'm Goodluck Jonathan

Inspector: Excuse me, sir. Would you please state your full name? / Would you please state your name in full?

Passenger: Sorry! My full name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

173 Likes 13 Shares

Re: My Name Is OR My Names Are,which Is Grammatically Correct? by Nastydroid(m): 9:30pm On Jul 03, 2015

MizMyColi:
well, here's my reasoning...

In a sane world, no body has just one name.
The family is the smallest unit of human interactions and an emotional centre of sorts.

We'd all be lost if we had no family to identify with, which explains the reasons a sane human would normally crave for a sense of belonging....

Now this family you belong to has a name, that is first and foremost, who you are.

Which is why you don't hear people like Khloe Kardashian saying, "I am a Khloe"...but you can hear her saying "I am a Kardashian"
There's something about pedigree that speaks volumes of the stuff you're made of.

In other words, your surname and your name are dependent on each other and actually function as ONE when it comes to introducing yourself in a formal/semi-formal setting.

So, I'd rather go with my name IS Margaret Thatcher.
As far as identifying me is concerned, none is complete without the other.
I am Margaret and I'm a Thatcher.
In other words, my name is Margaret Thatcher.

"My names are" should, or, can be used when you need to make known your different names/titles, which to a very large extent are independent of the other.

For Example;

His name is Jehovah Elshaddai.

And

His names are Jehovah Elshaddai, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Nissi.....
Respectively.
You catch my drift?