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Is a pair an 'it' or a 'them'?
I want to use the word 'it' to describe a pair of something. Can I?
Comments
This is not helping my poem. Grr.
i shall have to give it up methinks.
*hides*
I need a pair of socks; they will keep my feet warm. - this refers to the two socks on the two feet.
A pair of socks makes all the difference on a cold day. - leaving out the feet, it makes sense in the singular.
Trousers are hard, because they are one garment. I wear a pair of trousers: these trousers make me look fat (for illustrative purposes only, of course).
The Oxford bods don't help - I've looked it up in four books now and no-one solves the conundrum. I suspect common usage is all in this case (you common usage).
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/pair_1
https://www.grammarly.com/answers/questions/1692-is-a-pair-of-something-a-singular-collective-noun-or-plural/
Sigh.
I gave up and drew a birthday card for OH.
But what do you have a pair of (in your poem)?
I have a pair of *goes to check* eyes. It is a pair of eyes. For nocturnal purposes.
*rubs hands together*
Job done.
He has a fine pair of eyes. He raises them to the setting sun. Nope - I'd use them, not it.
It really does seem to come down to what sounds right each time.
I think that's a different thing. Ignore me.
As you were...
That's Liz's poem sorted.
I've got rid of the 'pair' problem for you.
This is a strong, normal lemur
Who was known as a bit of a dreamer?
*hangs head and dribbles a bit*
@-)