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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Could it be this?

I had this thought that when we describe a situation where a group of people as a unit have a car, then we would write/express it as "their car" and it will suffice, I think, and if some people in that group possess cars, then we would decribe it as "their cars," without making any reference to the fact whether a specific person in that group owns a particular car or to the fact how many cars that person might own.

eg, their car and their cars

OK, if I apply the same format to an uncountable like the one below, how do we know whom we are referring to or whether or not the phrase is indeed making an indication in regard to the number of people having possession of the uncountable nature being put forth?

eg, their English level

And what do you mean by the English level? their proficiency level? writing and/or oral capability?
  

Top answer

Hi, These kind of expressions are always a bit unclear or ambiguous. The context usually helps clarify them. And what do you mean by the English level?

  • Hi, These kind of expressions are always a bit unclear or ambiguous.
  • The context usually helps clarify them.
  • And what do you mean by the English level?
  • their proficiency level?
  • writing and/or oral capability ?
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1 Answers
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Hi,

These kind of expressions are always a bit unclear or ambiguous. The context usually helps clarify them.

And what do you mean by the English level? their proficiency level? writing and/or oral capability? Again, depends on context. Probably all of the above.

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