How many legs does an octopus have?
How many legs does an octopus has?
If octopus is singular, why do we use "has" instead of "have"?
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1why do we use "has" instead of "have"? The short answer is We don't! This is "basic English".– FumbleFingersSep 10, 2017 at 14:14
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1 Answer
"has" is incorrect in this structure. The correct sentence is:
- How many legs does an octopus have?
The only way "has" can be correct is in this structure:
- How many legs has an octopus?
When we use the auxilary verb "do" in the interrogative it is always "have" with either plural or singular subject.
answered Sep 10, 2017 at 13:54
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2Octopus "legs" or "arms" would be understood by most folks. Tentacles in informal spoken English could seem awkward in some cases.– ColleenVSep 10, 2017 at 14:05
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