0
Avid learner Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Mankind - they or he?

Hi,

Which sentence is the correct one:
  1. Mankind realizes that they really need God.
  2. Mankind realizes that he really need God.
  3. Mankind realize that they really need God.
  4. Mankind realize that he really need God.

My money is on the first sentence, but I could be mistaken.


PS: mankind here refers to humankind.


Thanks in advance, AL
  

Top answer

" However, if it absolutely must be one of the four examples, then "he" is immediately eliminated from consideration - you cannot use "he" with mankind ("they" seems within the realm of possibility, though). That leaves 1 or 3. If you're going to use "they," a plural pronoun, then the verb must be plural also.

— An0nymous

  • " However, if it absolutely must be one of the four examples, then "he" is immediately eliminated from consideration - you cannot use "he" with mankind ("they" seems within the realm of possibility, though).
  • That leaves 1 or 3.
  • If you're going to use "they," a plural pronoun, then the verb must be plural also.
  • So that means 3 is the best choice, in my opinion.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
I've always used "it" with "mankind." So in my view it should be: "Mankind realizes that it really needs ***." However, if it absolutely must be one of the four examples, then "he" is immediately eliminated from consideration - you cannot use "he" with mankind ("they" seems within the realm of possibility, though). That leaves 1 or 3. If you're going to use "they," a plural pronoun, then the
0
0
Mankind realizes that it really needs ***.
0
0
I thought that you use "it" only when you are referring to a non human noun, such as an animal or a thing.
0
0
avid learnerI thought that you use "it" only when you are referring to a non human noun, such as an animal or a thing.
"it" may be used for nouns that refer to groups of people (e.g. "society", "(political) party", "company", "committee", etc. etc.).
0

Related Questions