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#2 (permalink) Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:06 am Its vs Their |
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§ 20. collective noun Some nouns, like committee, clergy, enemy, group, family, and team, refer to a group but are singular in form. These nouns are called collective nouns. In American usage, a collective noun takes a singular verb when it refers to the collection considered as a whole, as in The family was united on this question or The enemy is suing for peace. It takes a plural verb when it refers to the members of the group considered as individuals, as in My family are always fighting among themselves or The enemy were showing up in groups of three or four to turn in their weapons. In British usage, collective nouns are more often treated as plurals: The government have not announced a new policy. The team are playing in the test matches next week. http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic36310.html#138013 http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/020.html
We scored as many goals as THEY did. None is so blind as THEY are. _________________ con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning. |
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Milanya I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Texas, USA (at present)
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#3 (permalink) Sun Mar 15, 2009 15:36 pm Its vs Their |
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Thank you for your reply
i gt your point
but what about this
The committee decided the matter without leaving their seats.
Thanks
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*Rahul* New Member
Joined: 14 Mar 2009 Posts: 6
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#4 (permalink) Sun Mar 15, 2009 23:17 pm Its vs Their |
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In British usage, collective nouns are more often treated as plurals. http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/020.html _________________ con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning. |
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Milanya I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Texas, USA (at present)
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| How to use these words: the loo, wc (water closet), toilet? | has joined ... for one year |