Singular v. Plural

[shakenbake]

Hello~ Teachers.

There is a writing requirement in one of the classes I am taking.

I was talking to a friend from this class and he said we have to write A 30 PAGE PAPER.
I understood that each person in class should turn in a 30 page-long paper. But, then, I thought this may be misleading to mean that he and I as partners should produce ONE 30 page-paper.

“We have to write 30 PAGE PAPERS” would have conveyed the message better?

Would it be also misleading that each person should turn in more than one paper?

If you were to choose between the two, which one would be your pick?

Thanks.

[Bridget]

Each (one) of us has to submit a 30 page paper.
We have to submit a 30 page paper each.

[OddThomas]

This is unambiguous, and it contains a remarkably modern split infinitive (for all you grammar thrill-seekers): We have to each write a 30-page paper.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Shake,

I think I would choose:


we have to write A 30 PAGE PAPER.




It's quite unusual for a class collectively to write a single paper; if that were indeed the task, the friend would have mentioned it.

("We have to write 30-page papers" has a confusing air; it sounds as if you have to write 30 of something called a "page paper".)

Another alternative might be: "Everyone has to write a 30-page paper".

Have a good Friday,

MrP

[Bridget]

It's quite unusual for a class collectively to write a single paper;

How many people make up a class?

[MrPedantic]

It's quite unusual for a class collectively to write a single paper; if that were indeed the task, the friend would have mentioned it.


Or, rather: "It's quite unusual for pairs or groups from a class to collaborate on single papers; if that were indeed the task, the friend would have mentioned the collaboration specifically."

MrP