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Hallowe'en Scene 2 Language Focus

This time, the subject (and the object!) is pronouns.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

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Language level

Intermediate: B1
Upper intermediate: B2

Comments

Leen's picture Leen replied on Singapore

Hi

I would like to know which of the following is correct.

1.No singer in John's school is more accomplished than John.
2.No singer in John's school is more accomplished than him.

Thank you.

Kirk's picture Kirk replied on Spain

Hello Leen

1 is less ambiguous than 2, since 'him' could refer to a different person, but they are both grammatically correct.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Justina Gali's picture Justina Gali replied on Nigeria

Hi,
Please I need clarification on the use of "they" as a singular. Is it considered standard British English to use it as singular? For example, "Tell anyone that calls the landline, they should reach me on my cell"

Peter M.'s picture Peter M. replied on Poland

Hi Justina,

Yes, it is perfectly fine to use 'they' as a genderless singular form and your example is correct.

This use of 'they' is quite old. You can find examples in Shakespeare, for instance:

There's not a man I meet but doth salute me

As if I were their well-acquainted friend

 

A Comedy of Errors, Act IV, Scene 3

 

It is certainly not a modern imposition on the language, as is sometimes argued.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Bognar Norbert's picture Bognar Norbert replied on Hungary

Thanks.

saagii's picture saagii replied on Mongolia

Good

archijais's picture archijais replied on India

hi,
A: I've brought some white wine.
B: Thanks. Shall we put ___ in the fridge for a while?
here right answer is it, why not them,while it is more one.please explain...

Kirk's picture Kirk replied on Spain

Hello archijais,

'wine' is an uncount noun. As you can see in the explanation on our uncount nouns page, uncount nouns are grammatically singular - that is why 'it' is correct and 'them' is not.

Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

MayelaM's picture MayelaM replied on Mexico

When do we use "by tomorrow" when talking about the time when something will be finished?

As in the phrase "I'm sorry I haven't finished my essay. It should be finished tomorrow." Would it be correct to say "It should be finished by tomorrow" as well?

Thanks!

AdamJK's picture AdamJK replied on Poland

Hello,

The difference is that 'by tomorrow' means 'tomorrow at the latest'. So it could be finished later today or it could be finished tomorrow and the promise would still be true.

Best wishes,

Adam
The LearnEnglish Team

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