For example, "He knows what is in the best interest of this family and is certain that _____ will be okay." Is it grammatically correct to use the word "they" in the blank when referring to a family even though "family" is singular? If not, than what?
2006-11-01 06:30:28 · 8 answers · asked by lenny_talarico 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Family is a noun in the singular so you would say
"He knows what is in the best interest of this family and is certain that it will be okay."
In this case the word 'it' refers to 'interest' not 'family' so the use of the word 'they' would not be appropriate anyway.
If you wanted to describe a family you would refer to it as 'it' such as 'The Smith's have a great family. I really admire it.'
If you were talking about the Smiths as a group of individuals you would say'
'The Smith's are a great family. I really admire them.'
The difference here is that 'them' refers to the 'Smiths' whereas 'it' refers to the 'family'.
2006-11-01 06:44:56 · answer #1 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i be responsive to i've got mastered the flexibility to stroll, communicate and study. there is no longer something lots left to examine in those fields, and that i will do all of it with finished ease. does no longer mean I on no account stub my toe, slur some words, or come across a sentence now and then, yet i've got reached a element the place that's thoroughly causal. i'm no longer an olympic sprinter, or a public speaker, or a speed reader -- those are all completely separate skills -- yet what I found out is plenty to get by way of existence. I on no account overlook that the martial arts are called an paintings, no depend if or no longer that's an jap interpretation, yet interior the West this does have a objective. An paintings could no longer be something you applicable. music, portray and sculpting all have close to endless skill, yet tiers of progression which you will possibly ought to "grasp" to get extra effective. A black belt, as we've defined until now on right here, is approximately having an employer awareness of the basics, or "All uncomplicated strikes and methods, would properly be utilized with prolonged tension and proper utility in uncomplicated blend." the main important words right here may be "all uncomplicated strikes and methods" and "prolonged tension and proper utility". i might say there's a mastery of having found out the standards and be responsive to the thank you to place them to apply, merely no longer something extra from the basics. i think of human beings bypass slightly too a techniques with the word, using it customarily erroneously, however the point of with ease and casually using what you have found out is what they're all implying. As for the martial arts as an entire, that i think is impossible, exceptionally as an paintings.
2016-12-09 00:48:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Family is not singular therefore they also not singular here is the correct response. Them is also a pronoun for family but would not be correct in this sentence.
2006-11-01 06:44:59 · answer #3 · answered by tigerpaws 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since the speaker is including himself/herself in the family, I would suggest using "we".
2006-11-01 06:44:09 · answer #4 · answered by iuneedscoachknight 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, "they" is the word that goes in the blank.
2006-11-01 06:49:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they
it is a singular noun that denotes a plural
2006-11-01 06:42:27 · answer #6 · answered by sarahstar111 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They
2006-11-01 08:34:56 · answer #7 · answered by koreangurl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those people
2006-11-01 06:41:52 · answer #8 · answered by cirdellin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋