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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary
Grammar question - thanks for help
Hi All: I was hoping that somebody could answer a question I have. I think it relates to whether something is singular or plural, but I don't know for sure.
Here is a paragraph that I wrote. Is my writing correct when, in the second sentence, I use "Lifer" and "he or she", and in the third sentence "their" and "they".
The mandatory sentence for first and second degree murder in Canada is Life, with a varying number of years that must be served before a person is eligible for parole; usually between 10 and 25 years. So after a Lifer has served their minimum term of imprisonment, he or she can apply for release on parole. If their application is successful, they will be permitted to serve the remainder of their life sentence in the community.
I've been struggling with this for a long time. I wanted to write this instead:
...... So after "Lifers" have served their minimum sentences, they can apply for release on parole, and if successful, will be permitted to serve the remainder of their life sentences in the community.
However, I'm not sure whether I should be speaking about all Lifers or just an individual Lifer. The second paragraph where I use "Lifers" sounds better to me, but for some reason it seems wrong to be.
I would be very appreciative if someone could help me with this. If there is a name for the problem I am having (is it a tense problem or?) I would like to know it so that I can practice. I would also be happy if someone could help me understand any rules so that I can identify problems in the future.
Thank you very much.
Ron
Here is a paragraph that I wrote. Is my writing correct when, in the second sentence, I use "Lifer" and "he or she", and in the third sentence "their" and "they".
The mandatory sentence for first and second degree murder in Canada is Life, with a varying number of years that must be served before a person is eligible for parole; usually between 10 and 25 years. So after a Lifer has served their minimum term of imprisonment, he or she can apply for release on parole. If their application is successful, they will be permitted to serve the remainder of their life sentence in the community.
I've been struggling with this for a long time. I wanted to write this instead:
...... So after "Lifers" have served their minimum sentences, they can apply for release on parole, and if successful, will be permitted to serve the remainder of their life sentences in the community.
However, I'm not sure whether I should be speaking about all Lifers or just an individual Lifer. The second paragraph where I use "Lifers" sounds better to me, but for some reason it seems wrong to be.
I would be very appreciative if someone could help me with this. If there is a name for the problem I am having (is it a tense problem or?) I would like to know it so that I can practice. I would also be happy if someone could help me understand any rules so that I can identify problems in the future.
Thank you very much.
Ron
Top answer
Anonymous The mandatory sentence for first and second degree murder in Canada is Life, with a varying number of years that must be served before a person is eligible for parole; usually between 10 and 25 years. So after a Lifer has served their minimum term of imprisonment, he or she can apply for release on parole. If their application is successful, they will be permitted to serve the remainder of their life sentence in the community.
- Anonymous The mandatory sentence for first and second degree murder in Canada is Life, with a varying number of years that must be served before a person is eligible for parole; usually between 10 and 25 years.
- So after a Lifer has served their minimum term of imprisonment, he or she can apply for release on parole.
- If their application is successful, they will be permitted to serve the remainder of their life sentence in the community.
- It would be fine to use the plural 'Lifers' there.
- If you do, 'he or she' naturally becomes 'they' (and 'has' becomes 'have').
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AnonymousThe mandatory sentence for first and second degree murder in Canada is Life, with a varying number of years that must be served before a person is eligible for parole; usually between 10 and 25 years. So after a Lifer has served their minimum term of imprisonment, he or she can apply for release on parole. If their application is successful, they will be permitte
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