Should I say “they're my brother and sister” or “that's my brother and sister”?












3















This is the direct translation of a sentence in Mandarin. I feel that it is more natural to say "that's my brother and sister", in English. Am I wrong?






singular-vs-plural relative-pronouns compound-subjects







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    3















    This is the direct translation of a sentence in Mandarin. I feel that it is more natural to say "that's my brother and sister", in English. Am I wrong?






    singular-vs-plural relative-pronouns compound-subjects







    share|improve this question















    migrated from english.stackexchange.com yesterday


    This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.





















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      This is the direct translation of a sentence in Mandarin. I feel that it is more natural to say "that's my brother and sister", in English. Am I wrong?






      singular-vs-plural relative-pronouns compound-subjects







      share|improve this question
















      This is the direct translation of a sentence in Mandarin. I feel that it is more natural to say "that's my brother and sister", in English. Am I wrong?






      singular-vs-plural relative-pronouns compound-subjects




      singular-vs-plural relative-pronouns compound-subjects






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      share|improve this question













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      edited yesterday









      Jasper

      19.1k43771




      19.1k43771










      asked yesterday







      Natalie











      migrated from english.stackexchange.com yesterday


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      migrated from english.stackexchange.com yesterday


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          1 Answer
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          Both sentences are fine—but context will determine which is more appropriate.



          For instance:




          "Who are those two people?"

          "They're my brother and sister.




          Here, you are answering a question.




          But:




          I pointed at the two of them and said, "That's my brother and sister."




          Here, you are describing something you've introduced yourself in a demonstrative way.






          share|improve this answer























            Your Answer








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            1 Answer
            1






            active

            oldest

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            1 Answer
            1






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            1














            Both sentences are fine—but context will determine which is more appropriate.



            For instance:




            "Who are those two people?"

            "They're my brother and sister.




            Here, you are answering a question.




            But:




            I pointed at the two of them and said, "That's my brother and sister."




            Here, you are describing something you've introduced yourself in a demonstrative way.






            share|improve this answer




























              1














              Both sentences are fine—but context will determine which is more appropriate.



              For instance:




              "Who are those two people?"

              "They're my brother and sister.




              Here, you are answering a question.




              But:




              I pointed at the two of them and said, "That's my brother and sister."




              Here, you are describing something you've introduced yourself in a demonstrative way.






              share|improve this answer


























                1












                1








                1







                Both sentences are fine—but context will determine which is more appropriate.



                For instance:




                "Who are those two people?"

                "They're my brother and sister.




                Here, you are answering a question.




                But:




                I pointed at the two of them and said, "That's my brother and sister."




                Here, you are describing something you've introduced yourself in a demonstrative way.






                share|improve this answer













                Both sentences are fine—but context will determine which is more appropriate.



                For instance:




                "Who are those two people?"

                "They're my brother and sister.




                Here, you are answering a question.




                But:




                I pointed at the two of them and said, "That's my brother and sister."




                Here, you are describing something you've introduced yourself in a demonstrative way.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered yesterday









                Jason BassfordJason Bassford

                16.6k22238




                16.6k22238






























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