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Marrion
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 303
Location: KOREA
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 Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:48 am Post subject: I have a question. |
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Which one is correct in the blank?
The engineer gives ______________ consent to try it in another way.
1. they
2.their
3.them
4.themselves
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The answer is 2. But I can't understand it because "the engineer" is a singular noun. I wonder if the answer is "his". Or I wonder if the answer is "3.them".
I want to know the reason. |
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IanT
Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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We use "their" as a singular adjective when we don't know if the person is male or female.
"them" would be possible if it was "permision". But consent always has a possessive adjective.
Hope helps,
Ian
_________________
All my answers refer to British English.
www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.
You decide the price for both! |
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Marrion
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 303
Location: KOREA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:53 am Post subject: I got it perfectly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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I got it perfectly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May you be in happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:38 am Post subject: |
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Have you considered that the correct answer, without any politically correct grammar assassination, is:-
The engineer gives them consent to try it another way. |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:39 am Post subject: |
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Have you considered that the correct answer, without any politically correct grammar assassination, is:-
The engineer gives them consent to try it another way. |
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IanT
Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:48 am Post subject: |
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No, I haven't considered that, because it isn't!
Consent is normally used with a possessive adjective, as I mentioned above.
_________________
All my answers refer to British English.
www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.
You decide the price for both! |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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The engineer gives them a cup of tea.
The engineer gives them consent to try it a different way.
Think again, Ian T |
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IanT
Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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No, normally it would be:
The engineer gives them his consent to try it a different way. (or her consent etc)
Although, having said that, consent is more commonly used without a subsequent clause, more like this:
They ask if they can try it a different way and the engineer gives them his consent. (or her consent etc)
Using "permission" would be better here, and would make us both right, as it doesn't need a possessive his or her. (or their)
Shall we leave it there, eh?
_________________
All my answers refer to British English.
www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.
You decide the price for both! |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 9:53 am Post subject: |
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Sure, you can leave it.
I must say I found your explanation, interesting, if not creative.
Vaya con dios.  |
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IanT
Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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Glad you found it interesting.
Bless you too!
_________________
All my answers refer to British English.
www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.
You decide the price for both! |
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