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exceptions

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Newguest  #501110  Tue, 15 Apr 08 07:26 PM

Hi

1. Someone's been taking my food again, haven't they?

2. Nobody has phoned, have they?

I know these are exceptions. However, is there any explanation why this should be so?

  
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Pao3  #501114  Tue, 15 Apr 08 07:34 PM
In my humble opinion it is so because "someone" or "nobody" stands for both male(he) and female(she). Therefore we use "they" so we stay gender neutral...
(in old english "man"-he, his- was used in this case)
  
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Kooyeen  #501115  Tue, 15 Apr 08 07:36 PM
Hi,
why are thy exceptions? What's wrong?
Oh, are you referring to "they"? In that case, it's often used as a singular pronoun when you don't know someone's sex, so it's usually used with "someone", "no one", "anyone", etc. Some people don't accept that "they" is used that way, and will tell you it's wrong and you should use "his or her" instead, especially in formal contexts.
Was that what you were worried about? Smile
  
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Dejanm83  #501116  Tue, 15 Apr 08 07:41 PM
Exceptions to what? :D

Anyway, the verb in the first part of the sentences is singular because "someone" and "nobody" are singular. In the second part, "they" is used as a sex-neutral pronoun, and since it is plural, the verb is as well.
  
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Dejanm83  #501117  Tue, 15 Apr 08 07:42 PM
LOL, three simultaneous answers...
  
Newguest  #501128  Tue, 15 Apr 08 08:24 PM

You were really fast guys :) Thanks!

  
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