If A and B are in the same ship and it has been mentioned, and they are boys, can I just say 'he is in a ship'? Or should I say 'they are in a ship'? For example if two people are in a ship, 'one person is in a ship' is wrong expression, but 'two people are in a ship is correct expression. So, only 'they are in a ship' is correct?
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More context, please? I can't figure out exactly what you are asking.– MarielSCommented Nov 24, 2020 at 6:08
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@MarielS I add some example.– anysomeCommented Nov 24, 2020 at 7:10
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1It is still impossible to know what your question is. Please try and ask a question we can understand and answer.– jwpfoxCommented Nov 24, 2020 at 7:29
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Who are ON a ship? John and Mary are "on" a ship. If you have already mentioned the people's names, then there's no need to repeat "He is "in" a ship". The problem arises if both people are the same sex. Saying "he" would be unclear.– Mari-Lou ACommented Nov 24, 2020 at 7:32
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Why is One person is ON a ship wrong? Who said that?– Mari-Lou ACommented Nov 24, 2020 at 7:34
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2 Answers
You would not be able to say "He is in a ship." because there are two people and "he" is not plural. "He" means "a male". You would have to say "They are in a ship". It should also actually "They are on a ship" and not "They are in a ship". Also, "One person is on a ship" would be correct because there is one person on the ship. "Only one person is on a ship" would be wrong.
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Grammatically speaking "One person's on a ship" is correct, but no one would say that if there were hundreds of passengers and a ship crew. The statement sounds as if there is no one else on board. Commented Nov 24, 2020 at 8:15
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I wonder why in test in the section of describing a picture 'one person eats something' is considered to be wrong even though two people eat something.– anysomeCommented Nov 24, 2020 at 8:18
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@anysome
I wonder why in test in the section of describing a picture 'one person eats something' is considered to be wrong even though two people eat somethingand now we have the context, finally. If we say one person is eating but we can see two people eating, it's called misinformation. Grammatically, the sentence is correct but it is not accurately describing reality. Commented Nov 24, 2020 at 8:22 -
@Mari-Lou A I think It is true to speakers, but when it comes to listeners, they perceive in a different way, so it becomes misinformation.– anysomeCommented Nov 24, 2020 at 8:32
This is not about grammar. This is just about meaning.
"He" and "they" mean different things.
If Peter and Paul are on a ship...
Two people are on the ship
Is grammatically correct. We don't know if it is true or not. There might be more people on the ship.
One person is on the ship
Is grammatically correct. But it is not true.
Peter is on the ship
Is grammatically correct and true.
Where is Peter?
He is on the ship.
Is grammatically correct and true.
Where are Peter and Paul
They are on the ship.
Is correct and true.
