Question
2 Jun 2019
- Spanish (Colombia)
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German
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English (US)
Question about English (US)
A family is "they" or "it"? if it is "a family", it refers to the institution not all the members of the family?
A family is "they" or "it"? if it is "a family", it refers to the institution not all the members of the family?
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- English (US)
"it" because it is singular.
"Members of the family" is plural.
We have to determine whether someone is referring to a specific family, or the institution of the family, based on the context. For example:
The family is the foundation of society. (Institution)
The family is going to Disney World.(specific family)
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
I would say that when referred to as an institution it would just be “family”, not “the family”.
“Family is the foundation of society”
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