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b4b3.htf
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1997-03-31
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350 lines
B4B3
Noun with Plural Possessive Pronoun
9
0
13
1
Plural possessive pronouns used in a collective sense
13
1
(treated as one unit) are followed by singular nouns. Plural
13
1
possessive pronouns used in a plural sense are followed by
13
1
plural nouns.
13
1
Collective:
3
0
15
0
My neighbors brought
6
0
their dog
8
0
.
6
0
13
1
(neighbors as one owner, one dog)
7
0
15
0
13
1
Plural:
3
0
15
0
The children brought
6
0
their dogs
8
0
.
6
0
13
1
(several owners, several dogs)
7
0
15
0
13
1
17
0
13
1
Collective:
3
0
15
0
We pushed
6
0
our car
8
0
to get it started.
6
0
13
1
(we as one owner, one car)
7
0
15
0
13
1
Plural:
3
0
15
0
We moved
6
0
our chairs
8
0
closer to the fire.
6
0
13
1
(we as several owners, several chairs)
7
0
15
0
13
1
17
0
13
1
If the noun after a plural possessive pronoun refers to
13
1
something abstract or figurative, the noun may be singular
13
1
even when the pronoun has a plural sense.
13
1
Concrete noun:
3
0
15
0
The council members took
6
0
their seats
8
0
.
6
0
15
0
13
1
Abstract noun:
3
0
15
0
The council members maintained
6
0
their
8
1
dignity
8
0
during the proceedings.
6
0
15
0
13
1
17
0
13
1
Concrete noun:
3
0
15
0
The skaters laced
6
0
their skates
8
0
.
6
0
15
0
13
1
Figurative noun:
3
0
15
0
The skaters waited for
6
0
their moment
8
0
on
6
1
the ice.
6
0
15
0
13
1
17
0
13
1
Note:
2
0
The growing trend of using
13
0
their
8
0
to mean
13
0
his
8
0
or
13
0
her
8
1
adds confusion to the rules of agreement in number. When
13
1
their
8
0
is used incorrectly to mean
13
0
his
8
0
or
13
0
her
8
0
, it is frequently
13
1
followed by a singular noun, as in the example below.
13
1
13
0
Incorrect:
3
0
A teacher is responsible for
6
0
their classroom
8
0
.
6
0
13
1
13
1
In conversation, we are more likely to hear
13
0
their
8
0
used
13
1
incorrectly (as a singular possessive) than correctly (as a
13
1
plural possessive). Though it is incorrect, we may even
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1
come to expect to hear a singular noun after
13
0
their
8
0
unless we
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1
keep in mind the rules above.
13
1
13
1
13
1
