Pronoun as subject

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#98197 Wed, 11 May 05 05:26 AM

In the answer "yes, they have", I understand that the subject must be a pronoun. Nouns can't be used in place of the subject.
In a question such as "Have they cleaned their bedroom?", is it possible to replace "they" with a noun? "Have the brothers cleaned their room?" or "Have David and Bill cleaned their room?" If the subject is very long and complicated, how should we deal with it? I appreciate your help.

Guest

Nouns, Pronouns

CalifJim

#98216 Wed, 11 May 05 06:21 AM

Yes, in "Have they cleaned their bedroom" you can substitute a noun (or nouns), just as you showed in your examples. Long and complicated subjects shouldn't be a problem grammatically.

Have the three strange but interesting people whom we met yesterday and took in for the night cleaned their room?

But such complexities can be broken up into several sentences if they bother you too much!

CJ