When SOMEBODY WANTS to lose weight, THEY often FIND it...
Hello,
could you please help me to understand better why in the sentences below (or in the subject) there are used both singular and plural. I understand the meaning of the sentences but I would like to know if there is a grammar rule for this kind of sentences and if it´s better to formulate them like these ones.
´When somebody wants to lose weight, they often find it very difficult because that requires changing their lifestyle.´ (1th part of sentence is in singular, but 2nd is in plural)
´If a soldier kills somebody in times of peace the world is ready to charge them with murder and put them in prison for life.´ (1th part of sentence is in singular, but 2nd is in plural)
Thanks a lot in advance for your answers.
Top answer
lucluc When somebody wants to lose weight, they often find it very difficult There is no solution to this English dilemma: we have no generally accepted, distinct non-gender personal pronoun. 'They/them/their' has been in general use but under challenge by many grammarians for several centuries now. lucluc If a soldier kills somebody in times of peace the world is ready to charge them with murder and put them in prison That is just poor editing, since we currently still consider soldiers to be male.
- lucluc When somebody wants to lose weight, they often find it very difficult There is no solution to this English dilemma: we have no generally accepted, distinct non-gender personal pronoun.
- 'They/them/their' has been in general use but under challenge by many grammarians for several centuries now.
- lucluc If a soldier kills somebody in times of peace the world is ready to charge them with murder and put them in prison That is just poor editing, since we currently still consider soldiers to be male.
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luclucWhen somebody wants to lose weight, they often find it very difficult
There is no solution to this English dilemma: we have no generally accepted, distinct non-gender personal pronoun. 'They/them/their' has been in general use but under challenge by many grammarians for several centuries now.
luclucIf a soldier kills someb
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