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Snarf Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

"Their" with singularity

Are there cases where, for lyrical purposes, it is all right to refer to something or someone in singularity, even if "their" is used, rather than "his" or "her?" For example:

"For some, like your friend over there, it would be better for them to live that way, until they die with a smile on their face, knowing that they did the right thing," he said.

Is "a smile on their face" OK there, or does it have to be "smiles on their faces," plural?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

" Yes. It's "singular their ". Snarf Is "a smile on their face" OK there Yes.

— CalifJim

  • " Yes.
  • It's "singular their ".
  • Snarf Is "a smile on their face" OK there Yes.
  • CJ
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4 Answers
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Snarfit is all right to refer to something or someone in singularity, even if "their" is used, rather than "his" or "her?"
Yes. It's "singular their".
SnarfIs "a smile on their face" OK there
Yes.

CJ
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SnarfAre there cases where, for lyrical purposes, it is all right to refer to something or someone in singularity, even if "their" is used, rather than "his" or "her?" For example:"For some, like your friend over there, it would be better for them to live that way, until they die with a smile on their face, knowing that they did the right thing," he said.Is "a smile on th
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SnarfAre there cases where, for lyrical purposes, it is all right to refer to something or someone in singularity, even if "their" is used, rather than "his" or "her?" For example:"For some, like your friend there, it would be better for them to live that way, until they die with a smile on their face, knowing that they did the right thing," he said.Is "a smile on their f
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canadian45As far as I know, something like "smiles on their faces" is not used when talking about one person.
…unless the person is two-faced!
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