Volcano1985  +  721507 Fri, 08 May 09 04:52 PM If someone doesn't want to do something, someone makes an excuse. If someone doesn't want to do something, makes an excuse. If one doesn't want to do something, one makes an excuse. If one doesn't want to do something, makes an excuse. Should I repeat someone or one? How would you make this sentence? Volcano1985 Joined on Sun, Apr 1 2007 Full Member 239 Sentences

	Clive  +  721550 Fri, 08 May 09 05:24 PM Hi, If someone doesn't want to do something, someone makes an excuse. Awkward. We often say If someone doesn't want to do something, they make / he makes an excuse. If someone doesn't want to do something, makes an excuse.  Incorrect If one doesn't want to do something, one makes an excuse.  Fine, but a little formal. Less formal is If you don't want to do something, you make an excuse.  In addition, I believe 'one' is not as commonly used in N. America as it is in Britain. If one doesn't want to do something, makes an excuse. Incorrect Best wishes, Clive   Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 31,602 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 Countries, United States

	Volcano1985  +  721595 Fri, 08 May 09 06:14 PM What about these? If someone doesn't want to do something, he/she makes an excuse. If one doesn't want to do something, he/she makes an excuse. Volcano1985

	Clive  +  721628 Fri, 08 May 09 07:10 PM Hi, These are OK.   Do you actually want to say 'he or she'? That's OK, too. But I wouldn't write it with a slash.   Clive Clive

	Volcano1985  +  721636 Fri, 08 May 09 07:24 PM I think so too.Then should I use only he or she? By the way I don't understand why they is used.We are talking about one person. Volcano1985 Speaking, Chat, Friendships

	Clive  +  721694 Fri, 08 May 09 08:28 PM Hi, Then should I use only he or she? You can say 'he' or 'she' or 'he or she'.   By the way I don't understand why they is used.We are talking about one person. It's jusr an idiomatic thing lots of people say. It's a way of avoiding the need to choose between 'he/she'.   Clive Clive Speaking, Chat, Friendships

	Volcano1985  +  721788 Fri, 08 May 09 10:42 PM Could this be a weak point of English? Volcano1985 Countries, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Languages

	Clive  +  721847 Sat, 09 May 09 01:03 AM Hi, Yes, some people say that. Is it handled better by your native language?   Clive Clive Languages

	Volcano1985  +  722240 Sat, 09 May 09 10:28 AM Yes, we don't have such pronoun problem. If we use someone, it means both he and she.When we use someone, we don't need to repeat it in the sentence like they/he/she, only once. Volcano1985 Pronouns, Sentences