Post by ***@gmail.com [EngFor]Is the usage of "themselves" below grammatically correct?
Everyone in the family can enjoy themselves there.
I think that "everyone" is a singular noun,but "themselves" is a plural form.
There are two points of grammar here.
(1) Are words that mean a group treated as singular or plural? That is, do we say âThe family (or committee, or government, or group) is enjoying itselfâ or do we say âthe team (class, squad, party, crowd, etc.) are enjoying themselvesâ?
I think it is good style to use singular grammar when the group acts as a unit, and plural grammar when the members act individually.
Example. Singular. âThe Government is united.â Plural. âThe government are a gang of halfwits, quarrelling among themselves.â
(2) Must pronouns agree in number and agree with the verb?
My answer is âYes, but things are changing. We use âtheyâ (and âthemâ and âtheirâ) for one person now, instead of âhe or sheâ. Most people use the 3rd-person plural verb with they-for-one-person.â Example. âOne child has left their lunch on the bus. Ah, here they come to get it.â
âA child travelling on their parentâs passport must have their details recorded âŠ"
Examples from Honeybadgerâs sentence, with my opinions on grammar and style.
[i] The family can enjoy itself.
Grammar okay. Style okay.
[ii] The family can enjoy themselves.
Grammar okay. Style okay.
[iii] Everyone in the family can enjoy themselves.
Grammar okay. Style okay.
[iv] Everyone in the family can enjoy themself.
Grammar okay. Style okay.
[v] Everyone in the family can enjoy herself or himself.
Grammar okay. Style bad.
[vi] Everyone in the family can enjoy himself.
Grammar bad. Style very bad.
[vii] All the people in the family can enjoy themselves.
Grammar okay. Style okay.
I suggest that people learning English should listen to people around them and copy what they hear. It is good manners in class to copy the teacher.
Ann