0
My Celine Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Singular or Plural
Imagine you were a teacher, and you need your students to answer questions. Then you say:
1) Raise your hand
2) Raise your hands
which one is acceptable?
After that, you need them to help other people take away something. You say:
1) Please take away their book
2) Please take away their books.
Which one is acceptable ?
1) Raise your hand
2) Raise your hands
which one is acceptable?
After that, you need them to help other people take away something. You say:
1) Please take away their book
2) Please take away their books.
Which one is acceptable ?
Top answer
Hello Celine My grammar book says both versions are OK. However, the plural version sounds more natural to most of native speakers. I googled "The students raised their hands" and "The students raised their hand".
- Hello Celine My grammar book says both versions are OK.
- However, the plural version sounds more natural to most of native speakers.
- I googled "The students raised their hands" and "The students raised their hand".
- The former hit 527 pages while the latter only 7.
- So my choice is: Raise your hands.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
Hello Celine
My grammar book says both versions are OK. However, the plural version sounds more natural to most of native speakers. I googled "The students raised their hands" and "The students raised their hand". The former hit 527 pages while the latter only 7. So my choice is:
My grammar book says both versions are OK. However, the plural version sounds more natural to most of native speakers. I googled "The students raised their hands" and "The students raised their hand". The former hit 527 pages while the latter only 7. So my choice is:
Raise your hands.
Please help them take away their books.
00
Hi,
In class, I find it most natural to talk to the group as if they were an individual,
ie if you know the answer, please raise your hand.
I know the point at issue can sometimes be confusing.
In the country of XXXX, most men have wives.
Does this country practice monogamy or polygamy?
In class, I find it most natural to talk to the group as if they were an individual,
ie if you know the answer, please raise your hand.
I know the point at issue can sometimes be confusing.
In the country of XXXX, most men have wives.
Does this country practice monogamy or polygamy?
0
Related Questions