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Azz Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Either
Can one say
a. These are people who don't have either a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each.
b. These are people who don't have a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each.
c. These are people who don't just have either a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each.
d. These are people who don't just have a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each..
?
Many thanks.
a. These are people who don't have either a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each.
b. These are people who don't have a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each.
c. These are people who don't just have either a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each.
d. These are people who don't just have a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each..
?
Many thanks.
Top answer
None of the above sounds idiomatic to my ear. You need a definite article 'the' before "people". These are people who don't have a cat or a dog.
- None of the above sounds idiomatic to my ear.
- You need a definite article 'the' before "people".
- These are people who don't have a cat or a dog.
- They have at least one of each.
- The underlined has problems.
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3 Answers
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None of the above sounds idiomatic to my ear. You need a definite article 'the' before "people".
These are people who don't have a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each. The underlined has problems.
These are people who don't have a cat or a dog. They have at least one of each. The underlined has problems.
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A and B are logically wrong. The first part of the statement says that they have no cats and no dogs at all. So the second part does not follow.
C and D are logical. The first part of the statement says that they have at least one cat or one dog. The second part expands on that to say that they have both one cat or more and one dog or more.
Clear?
C and D are logical. The first part of the statement says that they have at least one cat or one dog. The second part expands on that to say that they have both one cat or more and one dog or more.
Clear?
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Your other commentator has a point, especially as to the naturalness of the sentences. However, if you are talking about "these...people" you can use an article or not.
But there is a question about what you intent to say:
If you are pointing to a particular set of people, go ahead and use "These are people..."
If you are talking about people in general, say inste
But there is a question about what you intent to say:
If you are pointing to a particular set of people, go ahead and use "These are people..."
If you are talking about people in general, say inste
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