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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
"a" necessary?
Dear Experts,
Do you have a family?
Do you have family?
When you ask someone whether he/she has a family or not, which of the above is correct to use? Considering "family" could be:
1. family that hi/she's born in, with a mother and father, brothers and sisters
2. family of his/her own, with a husband[wife] and kids of his/her own if any
Also,
I have no family.
Can this be used for both types of families mention here?
Thank you.
Do you have a family?
Do you have family?
When you ask someone whether he/she has a family or not, which of the above is correct to use? Considering "family" could be:
1. family that hi/she's born in, with a mother and father, brothers and sisters
2. family of his/her own, with a husband[wife] and kids of his/her own if any
Also,
I have no family.
Can this be used for both types of families mention here?
Thank you.
Top answer
No matter which definition you use (1 or 2), you can use either of those questions. Note that the second one is more informal, however. I have no family can be used as the answer to either question for either definition.
- No matter which definition you use (1 or 2), you can use either of those questions.
- Note that the second one is more informal, however.
- I have no family can be used as the answer to either question for either definition.
- CJ
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3 Answers
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No matter which definition you use (1 or 2), you can use either of those questions. Note that the second one is more informal, however.
I have no family can be used as the answer to either question for either definition.
CJ
I have no family can be used as the answer to either question for either definition.
CJ
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Hi,
Sometimes there can be some confusion between the two kinds of family that you discuss below.
What you say tends to depend on who you are talking to, and on the context.
We usually don't ask a child these things, as we assume they are part of a family.
Do you have a family? Often means 'Are you marriedz? Do you have children?' But if I know you are marrie
Sometimes there can be some confusion between the two kinds of family that you discuss below.
What you say tends to depend on who you are talking to, and on the context.
We usually don't ask a child these things, as we assume they are part of a family.
Do you have a family? Often means 'Are you marriedz? Do you have children?' But if I know you are marrie
00
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