lap and fingers

[Ju]

Are the sentences below both correct?

1. All kids, have your hands in your lap.
2. All kids, have your hands in your laps.

________________________________________________________
I am trying to ask the kids of having 10 fingers up for counting from one to ten. Shall I say:

4. have you ten fingers up.
5. have your palm open and all fingers up.
______________________________________________________________


Thank you.

 

[Soup]

Hello Ju,

I would say, "Put your hands in your lap" and "Hold up your hands and spread your fingers."

 

[5jj]

I would say, "Put your hands in your laps".

 

[Rover_KE]

Ju, please don't address them as kids, unless you have a class of young goats.

Rover

 

[Amigos4]

Since I have two hands and one lap, I would say "Put your hands in your lap."

"5. have your palm open and all fingers up" will only result in five fingers being displayed!

 

[5jj]

Since I have two hands and one lap, I would say "Put your hands in your lap."

It is very common, indeed normal, in BrE to use the plural form in such cases:

They shook their heads.

When a teacher says, "Put your hands up if you have the answer", s/he is instructing each pupil to raise one hand.

 

[Amigos4]

It is very common, indeed normal, in BrE to use the plural form in such cases:

They shook their heads.

When a teacher says, "Put your hands up if you have the answer", s/he is instructing each pupil to raise one hand.

For the sake of lighthearted conversation, what is the teacher's response when the class clown puts up both hands if he knows the answer? :shock: I would prefer to instruct the class to 'put your hand up if you have the answer'.

 

[5jj]

For the sake of lighthearted conversation, what is the teacher's response when the class clown puts up both hands if he knows the answer?

"One hand is enough, thank you, George."

I would prefer to instruct the class to 'put your hand up if you have the answer'.

Fine.

 

[Tdol]

I agree with Fivejedjon that the plural is common in BrE, but would add that the singular is also fine IMO.

 

[The Dude]

Context is everything. Ju was clearly addressing the class of young goats:roll: as a whole (all), so 'laps' must be plural.

Had he been addressing them as individuals within the class, then 'lap' would be more appropriate. Eg: "Now, each one of you - put your hands in your lap".

If no reference is made as to whom you are speaking - the group or the individual - then either is correct, because it can be understood either way.

Mention of 'George' reminds me of 'George, Don't Do That', a classic light-hearted radio script and book of primary school life written by ??? (aargh, it's on the tip of my tongue). Wonderful.

 

[5jj]

Mention of 'George' reminds me of 'George, Don't Do That', a classic light-hearted radio script and book of primary school life written by ??? (aargh, it's on the tip of my tongue). Wonderful.

Joyce Grenfell?

 

[5jj]

Had he been addressing them as individuals within the class, then 'lap' would be more appropriate. Eg: "Now, each one of you - put your hands in your lap".

It might be if you were thinking logically, but language does not always work logically. In this distributive sense, the plural form is, in BrE, acceptable; indeed, in modern BrE usage, it is appropriate.

 

[Barb_D]

In real life, a teacher could simply say "Put up your hands" and show the students how she wants them to hold their hands. They will mimic what the teacher did.

We don't seem to object to "kids" in the US the way you seem to. Our young students would rather be called "kids" than "children."

Okay, kids, let's all sit in a circle. -- This would not be offensive to a typical American student or the parent who heard it spoken.

 

[The Dude]

Joyce Grenfell?

That's the one! Now I'll have to go out and buy a copy. Thanks.

 

[5jj]

That's the one! Now I'll have to go out and buy a copy. Thanks.

No need. I''ve found it.
YouTube - joyce grenfell nursery school (george don't do that)

There are other Grenfell sketches on youtube too. Thanks for reminding me of her existence. A wonderful woman.

 

[TheParser]

Are the sentences below both correct?

1. All kids, have your hands in your lap.
2. All kids, have your hands in your laps.

________________________________________________________
I am trying to ask the kids of having 10 fingers up for counting from one to ten. Shall I say:

4. have you ten fingers up.
5. have your palm open and all fingers up.
______________________________________________________________


Thank you.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Ju,


(1) I once read that it might be better to use the plural if you are

addressing a group of people and expect all of them to do something

at the same time. So if there are 30 children in the room and you

expect them to do it at the same time, the plural idea would be

appropriate.

(2) I believe that many people (especially in past years)

would be more comfortable with the preposition on.

(3) Therefore:

OK, children, let's put your hands on your laps.

(It gives you a mental image of 30 children putting their hands on

30 individual laps as they obey your command.)

 

[5jj]

I believe that many people (especially in past years) would be more comfortable with the preposition on.

OK, children, let's put your hands on your laps.

If I were beginning that with 'let's' I think I'd use 'our' rather than 'your' - even if I meant 'your'.

My grandson certainly sits on, not in my lap. I think (and only think) that if I were resting my hand on the upper part of my thighs, they would be on my lap, but if they were tucked between my legs, they would be in my lap. However, this is all very subjective. I think on is probably a safer bet for learners.

This is a digression: if you are interested in laps, you might like to have a look at this - LAP: a unique noun?

 

[Tdol]

Poll: I'd like you all to put your hands on your ____. - Language Polls - UsingEnglish.com