they took/they each took/each of them took/

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navi tasan

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Are these sentences correct:

1-They took flowers for their mothers.
2-They each took flowers for their mothers.
3-Each of them took flowers for their mother.

I think "3" is clear. Each person gives flowers to his or her mother.

"2" could have the same meaning as "3", but it could also mean that the flowers were received by the mothers as a group.

"1" could have both meanings of "2" and it could also mean: The children as a group took flowers for their mothers as a group.

Is that correct?

Gratefully,
Navi.
 

Tdol

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I am not honestly sure what the distinction is- do you mean that one of the mothers received the flowers on behalf of all the mothers in the group cases? How else would they receive them as a group of they didn't each get a bunch?
 

navi tasan

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Thank you very much Tdol.

Well the mothers are sitting somewhere together and the children bring in the flowers and say: "These are for you!" The mothers can do whatever they want with them. Maybe they will leave them there or...

We all give you all these flowers. We don't care how you divide them up between you etc.

Something of the sort.

Gratefully,
Navi.
 

Tdol

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1 is the most likely for that scenario.
 

emsr2d2

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Are these sentences correct:

1-They took flowers for their mothers.
2-They each took flowers for their mothers.
3-Each of them took flowers for their mother.

I think "3" is clear. Each person gives flowers to his or her mother.

"2" could have the same meaning as "3", but it could also mean that the flowers were received by the mothers as a group.

"1" could have both meanings of "2" and it could also mean: The children as a group took flowers for their mothers as a group.

Is that correct?

Gratefully,
Navi.

If the people referred to as "each of them" in number 3 are two brothers, two sisters or brother and sister, then they are bringing two bunches of flowers in total but giving them to the same woman.
I just wanted to give you another interpretation. You're right that each person gives flowers to his or her mother but they could of course have the same mother.
 
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