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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
making a reference at a later point in time
Hi,
If you have used words like 'anybody', 'everybody', or even 'a person', can we use oronouns 'they' or 'them' to refer to them? Any other indefinite pronoun or similar ones that can be made a later-time reference by 'they' or 'them'?
I think in the context I am asking questions, 'anybody' or 'anyone' is sort of same.
It is requred that everybody bring a pencil to school. If they don't, they will be frowned upon by the teacher.
If you have used words like 'anybody', 'everybody', or even 'a person', can we use oronouns 'they' or 'them' to refer to them? Any other indefinite pronoun or similar ones that can be made a later-time reference by 'they' or 'them'?
I think in the context I am asking questions, 'anybody' or 'anyone' is sort of same.
It is requred that everybody bring a pencil to school. If they don't, they will be frowned upon by the teacher.
Top answer
" would be required for later references, but as you probably realize, most people use they and them . In the case of "everybody," "everyone," and "people," they and them are unquestionably correct. I'd say that "each of us / you" and "all of us / you" would also fit your model.
- " would be required for later references, but as you probably realize, most people use they and them .
- In the case of "everybody," "everyone," and "people," they and them are unquestionably correct.
- I'd say that "each of us / you" and "all of us / you" would also fit your model.
- " Best wishes, - A.
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3 Answers
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I believe that technically, since anybody, anyone, and a person are singular, "he / him, etc." would be required for later references, but as you probably realize, most people use they and them.
In the case of "everybody," "everyone," and "people," they and them are unquestionably correct.
I'd say that "each of us / you" and "all
In the case of "everybody," "everyone," and "people," they and them are unquestionably correct.
I'd say that "each of us / you" and "all
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Thank you. I think I heard the plural version more often and wonder why: 'Everybody' has a contextual plural sense but a semantic singular sense, IMO if I phrased it correctly.
It is required that everybody bring pencils to school.
It is required that everybody bring pencils to school.
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Anonymous 'Everybody' has a contextual plural sense but a semantic singular sense, IMO if I phrased it correctly. Elegantly stated.
It is required that everybody bring pencils to school. Thanks for this. Do you know if "a pencil" is an option??
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