[Grammar] CAT FIGHT

[GrapesOfWrath]

a. "My cats broke out in a fight."
b. "A fight broke out by my cats."

Are these correct, standard, or/and formal?

 

[White Hat]

b. "A fight broke out by my cats."
Are these correct, standard, or/and formal?

A fight broke out between my cats.

 

[GrapesOfWrath]

Then:

a. "My cats broke out in a fight." :cross:
b. "A fight broke out by my cats." :cross:
c. "A fight broke out among my cats." :tick:

 

[billmcd]

a. "My cats broke out in a fight."
b. "A fight broke out by my cats."

Are these correct, standard, or/and formal?

Both are understandable but "a." would be best. If two cats, could use "between" as above.

 

[billmcd]

Then:

a. "My cats broke out in a fight." :cross:
b. "A fight broke out by my cats." :cross:
c. "A fight broke out among my cats." :tick: But only for three or more.

b.

 

[GrapesOfWrath]

Then, it is:

a. "My cats broke out in a fight." :cross:
b. "A fight broke out by my cats." :tick:
c. "A fight broke out among my three cats." :tick:

 

[White Hat]

Does is really happen that three cats fight at the same time? This is something new to me. Don't only 2 cats fight at a time?

 

[White Hat]

I stand corrected. Indeed, we don't know which 2 of the 3 cats were fighting. "among" is good.

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't think it matters how many cats there are above two.

If two cats are fighting then "A fight broke out between my cats." If three or more cats are fighting, or two or more of three or more (!), then "A fight broke out among my cats."

I have seen a very large group of cats all fighting together - there were probably at least ten of them.

 

[billmcd]

I don't think it matters how many cats there are above two.

If two cats are fighting then "A fight broke out between my cats." If three or more cats are fighting, or two or more of three or more (!), then "A fight broke out among my cats."

I have seen a very large group of cats all fighting together - there were probably at least ten of them.

Do you have a picture? :-D

 

[Barb_D]

Then, it is:

a. "My cats broke out in a fight." :cross:
b. "A fight broke out by my cats." :tick:
c. "A fight broke out among my three cats." :tick:

No!

a is okay.
b is NOT okay.
c is okay, as is "A fight broke out between my cats."