0
SandipKumar Posted 6 years ago
Grammar
Collective noun with a singular verb but plural pronoun
I know that the number (singular/plural) of verb and pronoun should be the same in a sentence. But I've encountered with the following sentence:
My family *is* gathering in Kolkata, and I'm preparing a feast for *them*.
Here, the collective noun is used with a singular verb ('is') & a plural pronoun ('them'). I think the pronoun 'them' should be changed to 'It'.
Could you please clarify it with precise grammatical rule?
My family *is* gathering in Kolkata, and I'm preparing a feast for *them*.
Here, the collective noun is used with a singular verb ('is') & a plural pronoun ('them'). I think the pronoun 'them' should be changed to 'It'.
Could you please clarify it with precise grammatical rule?
Top answer
SandipKumar I think the pronoun 'them' should be changed to 'It'. You are thinking logically, but we don't use 'it' to refer to a family (or any other collection of people). That's why we substitute 'them'.
- SandipKumar I think the pronoun 'them' should be changed to 'It'.
- You are thinking logically, but we don't use 'it' to refer to a family (or any other collection of people).
- That's why we substitute 'them'.
- In British English, it's more consistent.
- A family consists of more than one person, so the agreement is made with the plural verb, as follows.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
SandipKumarI think the pronoun 'them' should be changed to 'It'.
You are thinking logically, but we don't use 'it' to refer to a family (or any other collection of people). That's why we substitute 'them'.
In British English, it's more consistent. A family consists of more than one person, so the agreement is made with the plural verb, as follows.
0
Related Questions