dremh said:Family is singular in American English, but should we use the pronoun it or they? e.g. "My family lives in California , but it/they used to live in France."
"It" sounds odd, but how do we justify the switch to the plural "they"?
rewboss said:Just to clear up one myth: It's not true that British English always uses the plural in cases like this. It depends on whether you are talking about the group as a whole or separate individuals within that group.
"My family lives in Baltonsborough." The family as a single unit, all the members living under one roof.
"My family live in towns all over south-west England." The family as a group of individuals, each individual living a separate life in a different town.
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