their for everyone?

[mkjackson81]

everyone has their family?
everyone has his family?
everyone has their families?

which one is a correct sentence? please help!

[manipal98]

correct one is
everyone has their family

[wasleys]

correct one is everyone has their family

manipal98,

Partridge disagrees with you. He says it should be singular, so it should be his or her, which presents a problem.

The problem can be avoided by saying 'everyone has a family' (which also shows us why their is wrong - we wouldn't say 'everyone have a family' in this context).

Michael

[mkjackson81]

Furthermore, what would you say to this sentence?

"Are they, the boy and the girl, a couple?"

I consider this wrong. How would you say instead? Thanks for your help!

[wasleys]

Furthermore, what would you say to this sentence?

"Are they, the boy and the girl, a couple?"

I consider this wrong. How would you say instead? Thanks for your help!

mkjackson81,

Looks OK to me.

Why do you think it's wrong?

Michael

[mkjackson81]

"Are they, the boy and the girl, a couple?"

Let's say, "They are a couple." I think that they is not singular and therefore the noun following the verb should not be singular.

[wasleys]

"Are they, the boy and the girl, a couple?"

Let's say, "They are a couple." I think that they is not singular and therefore the noun following the verb should not be singular.

mkjackson81,

2 people = 1 couple, so singular.

If couple was plural there would have to be 4, 6, 8, 10 etc people.

Michael

[estherlall]

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[Tino]

Just to jump in,

The use of "they, them, their" etc... instead of he/she, his/her (etc...) is incorrect grammar-wise, but becoming more common.

"Each employee must give his or her report to the director by noon." becomes:
"Each employee must give their report to the director by noon."

I bet that sooner or later this will become acceptable English. I already see it in manuals all the time!

Tino

PS: minoring in technical editing!

[wasleys]

The use of "they, them, their" etc... instead of he/she, his/her (etc...) is incorrect grammar-wise, but becoming more common.

"Each employee must give his or her report to the director by noon." becomes:
"Each employee must give their report to the director by noon."

I bet that sooner or later this will become acceptable English. I already see it in manuals all the time!

Tino,

Agreed.

All too often this sort of thing is the result of writing without thinking. The problem could be avoided by saying 'All employees must give their reports to the director by noon'.

I never cease to be amazed by the poor writing (and spelling) I see in print, often from sources I would expect to have higher standards.

/grump

Michael