singular/plural

Question

1. "If one of us loses our job, we will have to do as bet as we can." (Idioms Dictionary Cambridge)
2. If one of us loses their job, ... .
3. If one of us loses their jobs,
4. If one of us loses his or her job,
5. If one of us loses his or her jobs,

Which numbers denote grammatically incorrect sentences?

Nona the brit · Accepted Answer

3 and 5 because it is saying that one person has more than one job.

Inchoateknowledge · Answer

In my country many people do a sideline.
Are you saying grammatically all the sentences are correct, but not all mean the same?
Thanks

Maple · Answer

IMO, (3) is wrong, but (5) is acceptable. Am I wrong? Please comment or give some more examples[A]

Goodman · Answer

Inchoateknowledge1. "If one of us loses our job, we will have to do as bet as we can." (Idioms Dictionary Cambridge)
2. If one of us loses their job, ... .
3. If one of us loses their jobs,
4. If one of us loses his or her job,
5. If one of us loses his or her jobs,

Which numbers denote grammatically incorrect sentences?

1. "If one of us loses our job, we will have to do as bet as we can." (Idioms Dictionary )
2. If one of us loses their job, ... .
3. If one of us loses their jobs,
4. If one of us loses his or her job,
5. If one of us loses his or her jobs,

Which numbers denote grammatically incorrect sentences?

Based on the text, this is my thinking process.

The one that makes the most sense is #1 with a correction on “bet” which should be “best”. "If" suggests that it's conditional.

It'seems to me that "if" and "will" don't gel too well here.

However, I would prefer to say “ Should one of us lose our job, we would just have to do the best[ we can] / [with what we’ve got”] .

# 2 and 3 are plainly wrong

# 4 too cumbersone

# 5 Jobs – bother me.

By the way, just curious, are you asking for advise or giving us a test?

Inchoateknowledge · Answer

Hi Goodman,

The first sentence I copied. I was wondering how I could rephrase it to get an identical, but correct sentence.
But you helped me and confirmed that the 1. sentence is ok.
I asked your opinion because I was not sure whether 2-5 are ok.

You wrote:
"Should one of us lose our job" Should not there be singular concord with the verb: loses rather than lose?

"giving us a test?" :

Pastsimple · Answer

InchoateknowledgeHi Goodman,

You wrote:
"Should one of us lose our job" Should not there be singular concord with the verb: loses rather than lose?

"giving us a test?" :

No way

. Lose is correct here. I don't know the correct explanation as to why, I've just picked this structure up.

Isn't the answer hidden in the word should? Should should be followed by infinitive, not infinitive + -s ending, shouldn't it?

BarbaraPA · Answer

Yes, when you use "should" that way, the bare infinitive (even though it may look like the plural) follows.

If he should find the missing papers... is the same as Should he find the missing papers...

If he loses his job..., but

If he should lose his job ... or Should he lose his job...

Good job, Pastsimple!

Inchoateknowledge · Answer

"Isn't the answer hidden in the word should?" It is, thanks.
should (one of us) lose
Lose hinges on should
should you lose, should they lose.

Goodman · Answer

Pastsimple
InchoateknowledgeHi Goodman,

You wrote:
"Should one of us lose our job" Should not there be singular concord with the verb: loses rather than lose?

"giving us a test?" :

No way . Lose is correct here. I don't know the correct explanation as to why, I've just picked this structure up.

Isn't the answer hidden in the word should? Should should be followed by infinitive, not infinitive + -s ending, shouldn't it?

Pastsimple,

I am confused with your reply! Is it "no way" as it being right ? or "no way" as it being wrong? Are you agreeing or disagreeing with the quoted sentence?

If you are disagreeing, please view this article:

http://www.jea.com/storm/losepower.asp

If you lose power during the storm, do not call our call center. We will announce through the media when to begin calling. For safety purposes, we do not send our crews out during the brunt of the storm and we will perform a damage assessment before power restoration. We ask you for patience during this time period.

Stay away from downed power lines. You don't have to touch a downed power line to be electrocuted-if the line is touching any object, including the ground, it poses a deadly hazard. Report downed lines immediately by calling 911.
Do not try to fix your service by opening transformers or any other type of JEA equipment. In addition to potentially causing more electrical damage, this can also result in serious injury or death.
Keeping safe is the top priority for our line crews. So that their progress is not slowed down and that they are not distracted while performing this potentially dangerous work, do not approach or talk to line crews and ask questions.
If appliances were on when the power was lost, make sure all appliances are turned off. If left on, they could pose fire hazards when the power is restored.
Should your home flood, have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician before turning your power back on.

Goodman · Answer

Hi pastsimple,

After reading the thread again, I realized your reply was for Inchoateknowledge. My mistake and apology!

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