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Debswen Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Is this sentence right?

Hello!
I've read a sentence on a student's book (New Headway - intermediate - 4th edition) that sounded weird to me:

"The family are the happiest when they have a bit of spare money...". Is it correct to say "the family are the happiest?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

debswen Is it correct to say "the family are the happiest " ? Yes. It's chiefly British usage.

— CalifJim

  • debswen Is it correct to say "the family are the happiest " ?
  • Yes.
  • It's chiefly British usage.
  • It considers the member s of the family each being the happiest under the conditions described.
  • It's called the notional plural.
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3 Answers
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debswenIs it correct to say "the family are the happiest"?
Yes. It's chiefly British usage. It considers the members of the family each being the happiest under the conditions described. It's called the notional plural.

CJ

Please do not double post.
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debswen"The family are the happiest when they have a bit of spare money...".
That would sound more natural to me without the 'the' before 'happiest'.
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