Timeline for Which pronoun refers to a group such as an orchestra — "they" or "it"?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
7 events
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| Aug 3, 2012 at 4:35 | comment | added | Pantalones | An entity is a single object made up of multiple units. Movement of a physical entity requires the concurrent movement of some or all of its members. The distinction between the entity and its units explains the inclusion of "with it" in this answer. | |
| Aug 2, 2012 at 23:07 | history | edited | MetaEd | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
added 3 characters in body
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| Aug 2, 2012 at 20:25 | comment | added | tchrist♦ | Perhaps because “to go with” is something of a phrasal-verb shibboleth? | |
| Aug 2, 2012 at 19:55 | comment | added | Bob | I might have said, "The members of the orchestra go." but that's not specific. "The members of the orchestra go as well" would be fine, but what's wrong with "..with it"? Where did the members of the orchestra go? "With it. (the orchestra)" The fact is that the orchestra is very much apart from its members. The orchestra is generally permanent and distinct from its members. For example, the orchestra may be contractually bound to appear or paid for promotion or royalty reasons, while its members may not be so bound or so paid. The orchestra is an "it" and the members are "them". | |
| Aug 2, 2012 at 19:20 | comment | added | tchrist♦ | Also, how can the orchestra be something apart from its members? | |
| Aug 2, 2012 at 19:19 | comment | added | tchrist♦ | Why bother with it at the end there? | |
| Aug 2, 2012 at 17:39 | history | answered | Bob | CC BY-SA 3.0 |