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Question 251 - Singular or plural when talking about two things

Dear Graham
"The effect was 20% in condition A and the effect was 40 % in condition B." Could I simplify them to "The effect was 20% for condition A and 40% for condition B" or "The effects were 20% for condition A and 40% in condition B."

Thanks
Doris

Dear Doris

Both of your choices are possible. When listing two objects, we can follow
the grammar rules for first one. You are simplifying the sentence this way.

e.g. The effect was 20% for condition A and 40% for condition B.

There was a fire at the first concert and a robbery at the second one!

But when you use ‘effects’, the sentence is plural.

e.g. The effects were 20% for condition A and 40% in condition B.

There were 5,000 spectators on the first day and 7,000 on the second day.

Question
184 will help you understand this.

Best wishes

Graham