Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

their?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Junkomama



Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 592

PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:48 am    Post subject: their? Reply with quote

Who on the earth wants to hurt their children?
Is this sentence correct?

Thank you in advance!
Junkomama
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal

PostPosted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who on Earth wants to hurt their children?

Even though who as an interrogative pronoun is commonly used as singular, it is colloquially accepted to use their in this case because English does not have a genderless possessive personal pronoun.

If you want to use absolutely correct grammar, you would say "his or her", but that sounds wordy and awkward, so we just use "their".
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Junkomama



Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 592

PostPosted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you so much, Bob S.-san!!

With regards,
Junkomama
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group