[Grammar] I'd pluralize smartphones to make clear that everyone isn't sharing one smartphone.

These days, everyone looks up things on their smartphones.

Charlie Bernstein
Personally, I'd pluralize smartphones to make clear that everyone isn't sharing one smartphone. But it's fine either way.

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/...-quot-s-quot?p=1475506&viewfull=1#post1475506
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a. I'd pluralize smartphones ....
b. I'd pluralize smartphone .... (My version)

In this case could either of them be used?

Here are my thoughts:

For (a), the original word quoted is exactly "smartphones", so (a) practically means I'd pluralize that word (smartphones). That's the reason (a) works.

For (b), logically only the base form of a word, in this case smartphone, can be pluralized. We can't pluralize a word which is already in the plural form. That's the reason (b) works.

What do you think?

I think you're overthinking. It's true that you can only pluralize a singular object, but Charlie's meaning was perfectly clear.

GoesStation said:

I think you're overthinking. It's true that you can only pluralize a singular object, but Charlie's meaning was perfectly clear.

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Thank you, GoesStation.

In this case do you think we can say either one of them?

kadioguy said:

In this case do you think we can say either one of them?

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I'd use the singular.

GoesStation said:

I'd use the singular.

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And I'd get rid of their. I don't like mixing it with everyone.

For what it's worth, I don't even remember answering this one. I like: Everyone looks things up on smartphones.