Whatever the obstacle is, you should never give up.

[teacherjapan]

A: I’d like to know whether one is better than the other. Which would you use?

1) Whatever the obstacle is, you should never give up.
2) Whatever the obstacles are, you should never give up.

B: Which would you use?
1) Whatever obstacle you face, you should do your best.
2) Whatever obstacle you gel ace, you should do your best.

 

[Tarheel]

A. I don't think either is necessarily better than the other. Are those your sentences?

B. I'm not sure that makes sense. (Especially the second one.)

 

[teacherjapan]

Sorry for the confusion. Let me try that again. I wrote the sentences below. I’d like to know whether I should use “obstacle” or “obstacles” in the following cases.

A:
1) Whatever the obstacle, you should never give up.
2) Whatever the obstacles, you should never give up.

B:
1) Whatever obstacle you face, you should never give up.
2) Whatever obstacles you face, you should never give up.

 

[jutfrank]

This is the difference between one thing (singular) and multiple things (plural). You can't say that one is better.

If you're thinking of one obstacle, use the singular form. If you're thinking of several, use the plural.

 

[probus]

Isn't that what I said?

No it isn't.