shampoo our hair or what?

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New2grammar

#534268 Sun, 29 Jun 08 04:32 PM

I think I understand why you prefer what you suggested. Before that, let me test you for consistency.

The kids ran home to take their bicycle/ bicycles?

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,670)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

Clive

#534288 Sun, 29 Jun 08 05:11 PM

Hi,
I think I understand why you prefer what you suggested. Before that, let me test you for consistency.

The kids ran home to ~~take~~ get their bicycle/ bicycles?

It's less a matter of consistency than of context and intuition. Here, I'd probably say 'bicycles' if I meant that each kid had a bicycle.

We probably can assume one person/one shower or one kid/one bicycle, but consider this example.
The kids ran home to get their mother.
Compare it to
The kids ran home to get their mothers.

Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (21,184)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

New2grammar

#534417 Sun, 29 Jun 08 11:31 PM

Clive, you're asking me to compare something I'm inquiring about. I have no idea which one is correct Sad

Kooyeen and I have this problem all the time. Probably, he has figured it out but I haven't.

New2grammar

Clive

#534426 Mon, 30 Jun 08 12:57 AM

Hi
OK.
The point of my example was this, to illustrate some aspects of usage.

The kids ran home to get their mother. It's unclear how many mothers are involved, but probably one.
Compare it to
The kids ran home to get their mothers. More than one mother is involved.

I don't know if I've gone off the point. If you have more questions, please ask them.
Clive

Clive

Avangi

#534431 Mon, 30 Jun 08 01:38 AM

New2grammar
Clive, you're asking me to compare something I'm inquiring about. I have no idea which one is correct

Could this be an example of irony?

Avangi

Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007

Senior Member (3,289)

". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

Grammar, Irony

khoff

#534459 Mon, 30 Jun 08 05:03 AM

If I may digress back to the original question -- at least in the U.S., I think "wash my hair" is at least as common as "shampoo my hair." ("No, I can't go out with you tonight -- I have to wash my hair" is sort of a classic made-up excuse.)