Writing Question!!!

1. 88

   Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

   Is it "We are fortunate to have you in our life." or "We are fortunate to have you in our lives."  Which is more appropriate?

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   1. 79

      kenneth averyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Kenna, use your First  choice, I am no expert, but the We are fortunate to have You is warmer. Just saying.

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      1. 88

         Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Kenneth!

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         1. 79

            kenneth averyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Kenna, anytime. Peace.

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   2. 93

      robhamptonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Now that's a head scratcher! Haven't read the other comments yet, but going to do that now. Awesome question!

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   3. 89

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Second one is correct.  The word "our" indicates plural so lives, also plural, would be correct.  I used to be a Language Arts teacher, so am certain about this.

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      1. 95

         theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Not necessarily, TT2. As Rochelle has already pointed out someone could be referring to their joint life. For example, if they were one of a couple...
         
         Our lives are happy.
         
         Our life together is happy.
         Throughout our married life....
         Our family life is rewarding.
         
         I'd go with the first option, Kenna, but it also depends on the context.

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2. 93

   Titiaposted 5 years ago

   I'm probably not the right person to answer this question, because English is not my native language, but when I read those two sentences out loud, to me 'lives' sounds better than 'life'. I think so because 'our' is referring to more people than one. But then... I could be totally wrong I'm sure someone will have the right answer.

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3. 95

   wildernessposted 5 years ago

   I agree with Titia.  The "we" and "our" dictate "lives" are both are plural.  But I hated English in school...

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4. 87

   lobobrandonposted 5 years ago

   As wilderness points out, they are both plurals and I'd go with lives.

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5. 66

   Dan Dildyposted 5 years ago

   Subject and object are both plural: lives

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6. 92

   Rochelle Frankposted 5 years ago

   There are instances where it can be used either way.
   If you are using "our" as a collective it can have a singular object
   Our house . . . Our society . . . Our life together . . .
     . . .or if you are speaking as a  reincarnationist or a person with multiple personalities you might say "in my lives as a woman". . .
   
   https://english.stackexchange.com/quest … al-of-life

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   1. 88

      Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      First, thank you, everyone!  This is very helpful.  I am leaning toward "life" even though it sounds better as "lives".  But, it is a personal message, so I want to keep it as a collective.

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7. 72

   jjkhawaiianposted 5 years ago

   We are fortunate to have you in our "life".
    
       Can be used to indicate plural, but written from a singular perspective.
       We and Our = plural
       Life = singular
   
   We are fortunate to have you in our "lives".
   
       Suggest more than one person shares the sentiment.
       This "sounds" more appropriate, English-wise.
        We and Our = plural
        Lives = plural
   
   "I am" fortunate to have you in "my" life.
   
       Strictly singular reference.

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   1. 88

      Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      So well explained. Thank you. I went with "lives."

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      1. 79

         kenneth averyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         At Kenna -- I feel so stupid right now. I was wrong. Forgive me.

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         1. 88

            Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            No worries. It was a tough question.

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            1. 79

               kenneth averyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               @ Kenna -- thanks so much, but I feel as if I let you down and I find that hard to deal with.

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               1. 92

                  Rochelle Frankposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  I think everyone contributed here, Kenneth. In general, and in most cases, singulars and plurals should agree. It seems that English is such a rich language because of the exceptions to "rules". My first instinct was to emphatically say "lives", but then thought that it might depend on context.

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                  1. 79

                     kenneth averyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     for you, Rochelle, and . . .you are right. I confess. I have trouble
                     with SepERate and SepARate and I get those mixed-up a lot.
                     So I just watch my thoughts fo NOT use them. LOL.
                     I was honest. I felt bad at  not being able to help Kenna and all of you, my good friends.

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                     1. 72

                        jjkhawaiianposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                        Hi Kenneth et al,
                        
                           You did nothing wrong. It would have worked both ways all the same.
                           The English language is a thing to understand and I don't have a vast 
                            library or command of it like my Father did.
                            Talk about feeling stupid. That guy was not human, I tell ya', lol.
                        
                           I'm just glad I could help Kenna!
                        
                           Everyone gets a for helping out. That's what is so great about websites and forums like Quora. Everyone pitches in.
                        
                          Stay precious, y;all!

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                        1. 79

                           kenneth averyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                           at Everyone here!

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8. 95

   jansharesposted 5 years ago

   This was interesting, very helpful explanations. What just came to mind for me is that couples usually refer to "building a life together," not " building our lives together." Love the English language.

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   1. 88

      Kenna McHughposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I thought about that, too. It could be the definition of "life" in this case or all cases.

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      RTalloniposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      A great discussion going here because these types of questions can give pause for thought.  It's possible that either life or lives would work depending on the entire context but your point re building a life together sums it up well. Yes indeedy, ain't English grand? ;-)

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   3. 72

      jjkhawaiianposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Janshares, once again an excellent point in context.
      
         Your example is looking at it from a singular perspective, but with a plural aspect.
      
      It's so hard at times, not just with spelling and grammar, but context and slang come into play. It's no wonder people have trouble with it.

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9. 92

   Rochelle Frankposted 5 years ago

   Ken, you help a lot of people. NONE of us can help All. Don’t feel bad. Your intentions were pure.

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   1. 79

      kenneth averyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      to you, Rochelle. I have been by your writing so much--and I feel that now is the perfect time to tell you. So I have and thank you for being my friend.

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      1. 92

         Rochelle Frankposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Kenneth. You have been writing a lot lately.

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         1. 79

            kenneth averyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            @ Rochelle . . .thank you for noticing. I take a notion once in a while to just share some memories of my boyhood and hope that I make the next pay-out for I desperately need some "scratch." (Have you ever heard of this term? On the streets in the 1940s, it was considered as Money).
            Anyway, thanks for your wonderful friendship and all of the work that you do.

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            1. 72

               jjkhawaiianposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Hi Kenneth,
               
                  I checked out your profile and did notice that, my Lord, you do write a lot. As a writer myself (unpublished and rather new) I thought I would introduce myself. I plan to read your articles and get to know your writing.
               
               It interests me to read other writers. I didn't read as a youngster, or old man for that matter, so I have a lot of catching up to do. Especially if I'm considering myself a writer and starting a new career as a screenwriter.
               
               Take care friend.
               
               P.S. We have a few things in common, it seems, from what I read in your profile. It's nice to know a fellow believer.

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10. 95

    theraggededgeposted 5 years ago

    Good discussion.
    
    'Our' and any noun following do not have to agree, plurally speaking. For instance, you'd say 'our home'.
    
    'Lives' can be combined into one shared 'life'. "My husband and I enjoyed our life in New York." or "My husband and I enjoyed our lives in New York." Both are correct, but each implies a very subtle difference. The first gives you a mental picture of a couple together; the second promotes the idea of a couple going about their separate lives.

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    1. 92

       Rochelle Frankposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       . . . Or you would say “our homes” if you had more than one home, or if the “our” refers to you and your neighbors.

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    2. 72

       jjkhawaiianposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Theraggededge and Rochelle,
       
         I agree with your assessments. Good discussion, for sure.

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    3. 97

       DrMark1961posted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Wasnt there a famous poet from Liverpool that wrote about "our life"? I took my English lessons from those guys.

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11. 70

    wordswithloveposted 5 years ago

    Both are correct, depending on the context of how many lives you are talking about. For example, if I were to say to a friend, speaking of the life of my family, I would say, "We are fortunate to have you in our life", and if I were to be speaking of multiple families, I would say, "We are fortunate to have you in our lives".

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    1. 72

       jjkhawaiianposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Yup, context is key here, like in so many other instance, where the English language is concerned. I love it!

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12. 76

    Miebakagh57posted 5 years ago

    The later.

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13. 69

    holliesandhealthposted 5 years ago

    I believe it's the second one. Unless of course "we" is referring to a collective conscious that exists in many dystopian or philosophical works. In which case I apologize.

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14. 92

    Jeremy Gillposted 5 years ago

    Definitely "lives".

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    1. 97

       DrMark1961posted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Definitely? John and Yoko would have disagreed.

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    2. 95

       theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Would you say 'our married life' or 'our married lives'?

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          jjkhawaiianposted 5 years agoin reply to this

          Context. A couple would say our married life, where a gaggle of couples would say or married lives.
          
          Now, a married couple could say our married lives in some instances. We've been together all our married lives (meaning, to each other). Maybe a bad example, but you get the point.
          
          Once again, context:
          Plural with a singular perspective (married life).
          Plural with a plural perspective (married lives).

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             theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

             Yes, I know. I've already posted different examples. I was responding to Jeremy's statement that 'lives' was the correct choice. And, as I mentioned previously, either is correct depending on the context.

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             1. 72

                jjkhawaiianposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                Oh. I was just answering your question. My mistake.

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                   theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                   Maybe you need to click on Chronological, top right. Then you can see who is replying to whom

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15. 78

    Darleen Barnardposted 5 years ago

    "Lives" "Our" is plural so "lives" needs to be plural as well.

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    1. 95

       theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Nope. You wouldn't say 'our dogs' if you only had one dog, would you?

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16. 91

    Luke Holmposted 5 years ago

    I would rewrite the entire sentiment, as clearly they are creating unnecessary trouble in your life (or is it lives?). I would rewrite your statement as: We want you to think that we feel fortunate to have you in our lives, but, in actuality, your existence has created a grammatical conundrum and an indirect headache.
    
    By the way, in the case of my first sentence, could "...your life" technically be "...your lives," even though "your" is singular? I think the answer is YES, as here "your" seems to be plural.

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