| Subject: | Re: picture or pictures? |
| Posted by: | meirman (meirm…@invalid.com) |
| Date: | Thu, 04 Sep 2003 |
In alt.english.usage on 4 Sep 2003 18:53:01 -0700 noah71…@yahoo.co.jp
(Hase) posted:
>Please read the following sentences.
>
>One week later, the school principal gave Lee Vang an award.
>Reporters took his pictures and the mayor shook his hand.
>
>In the second sentence, should *his pictures* be replaced by *his
>picture*, a singular form?
>Someone told me that, in a case like this, no matter how many pictures
>the reporters take, it should be singular.
>What do you think?
>And, if possible, tell me why.
I think someone is right. It's an idiom. And it isn't necessary to
say pictures because the days of the 6-man camera are gone. If there
are 6 reporters taking pictures**, they're going to take six pictures,
or more.
It would be ok to say, Reporters took pictures of him.
**You might ask, how come the reporters can take pictures, but they
can't take his pictures. "take his picture" is an idiom that only
exists in the singular.
>Hase
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
Baltimore 17 years
None
picture or pictures? posted by noah71…@yahoo.co.jp (Hase) on 4 Sep 2003