Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

English Forums

Use our English forums to learn English. The message boards are great for English questions and English answers. The more you contribute, the more all members can practice English!

:  

English Talk

A question of possessive case

03:20 PM Aug 19 2008 | Reply

wenkaihsu

Taiwan

I don't know which one is better for exams.

1.) Everyone has one's problems.
2.) Everyone has his/her problems.
3.) Everyone has his problems.

thanks for your help.

  

05:21 PM Aug 19 2008 | Reply

Nelles

United States

Everyone has his or her problems.

11:37 PM Aug 19 2008 | Reply

tiffintime

tiffintime

Sri Lanka

This point has been discussed here before. While "Everyone has his or her problems" is correct, some people now say "Everyone has their problems". This is because some people find the use of "his or her" a bit clumsy. Of course, you could just say "Everyone has problems."

http://dinosaurhat.blogspot.com/2004/06/everyone-has-their-problems.html

 

 

 

02:09 AM Aug 20 2008 | Reply

pink angel

pink angel

Saudi Arabia

i think it is correct everyone has his problem

 

but everyone has his own problem

04:00 AM Aug 20 2008 | Reply

Nelles

United States

[QUOTE]some people now say "Everyone has their problems". This is because some people find the use of "his or her" a bit clumsy[/QUOTE]

 Using "their" is incorrect because "everyone" is singular and "their" is plural. People make that mistake all the time in conversation but remember not to write it for an important exam/essay or something because it's incorrect grammar.

09:54 AM Aug 20 2008 | Reply

wenkaihsu

Taiwan

I understand why "everyone has their own problem" is incorrect. However, I am confused the usage of "his". I saw lots of American use "Everyone has his own problems". Is it correct when I write it down in exams?

Thanks for everyone's opinion.

 

04:34 PM Aug 20 2008 | Reply

Nelles

United States

Well, just saying "his" used to be acceptable but more commonly today people include women and say "his or her" because "everyone" isn't just male.