Common feature possessed by plural owners - Singular or Plural ?

Question

When I learned English I was taught that when referring to a plural number of individuals possessing a common feature in plural number, one should describe that feature in the plural, e.g.:

• The soldier took off their uniformS and returned to their homes.

The reason for this is that each soldier has his own uniform & his own home, therefore, there being a plural number of soldiers, there are plural uniforms and plural homes.

However, it is not uncommon in colloquial English to render the common feature in the singular, e.g.:

• The soldiers took off their uniform and returned home.

I understand other languages may prefer this singular form. What is the Spanish position on this ?

This is what I like about this foro. I had never thought about this one, now you're making you think. - annierats, Jan 20, 2015

Answer 1

Yes, you are right, Falda. I have seen it both ways. I don't know if their is a rule. For that sentence I think I would say,

The soldiers took off their uniforms and returned home. (for me uniform singular does not sound quite right).

Los soldados se quitaron sus uniformes y regresaron a casa.

In translating I have seen English plurals many times translated into Spanish singular and vice versa. I think it depends on the context and the style of the writer.

Yes, I agree, if you want to say they wnet to their varios homes you would say regresaron a sus casas/ sus pueblos. I think, anyway. - annierats, Jan 20, 2015

'Home' is perhaps a bad example on my part because it's 'weird' in English, functioning almost like an adverb as opposed to a noun. - Faldaesque, Jan 20, 2015

Answer 2

La casa de los vecinos es muy pequña. One house, several owners.

Los soldados quitaron de sus uniformes y fueron a casa. Several soldiers, several unifoms but they went home, rather than to their individual houses. The soldiers took off their uniforms and went home.

Answer 3

How about, 'I walked into the bar and all the customers turned their head(s) to look at me' ?

Here in English, 'heads' plural is, strictly speaking correct, but one might say 'head' singular to emphasise the fact that they all performed the action at the same time.

• Entré en el bar y todos los clientes se volvieron su cabeza para mirarme...

O

• Entré en el bar y todos los clientes se volvieron sus cabezas para mirarme...

¿?

I think you would have to say heads there, Falda :) - sanlee, Jan 20, 2015

In English and/or Spanish ? ;-) - Faldaesque, Jan 20, 2015

Los clientes volvieron las cabezas y me miraron. -- or Todos volvieron la cabeza y me miraron. - annierats, Jan 20, 2015

So, I think either, but I´m not very sure, I would just say ´me miraron´, I always go for the easy option! - annierats, Jan 20, 2015

Gracias - Faldaesque, Jan 20, 2015