[Grammar] Many people are having a picnic/picnics in the park.

[kadioguy]

a. Many people are having a picnic in the park.
b. Many people are having picnics in the park.

(My original sentences)
------
Are both of them acceptable? Can these two have the same meaning?

I mean to say, for example:

 

[jutfrank]

Nobody in that picture is having a picnic, but if there were, you might say There are lots of people having picnics.

 

[kadioguy]

Nobody in that picture is having a picnic, but if there were, you might say There are lots of people having picnics.

Thank you, jutfrank.

c. There are lots of people having a picnic.
d. There are lots of people having picnics.

I went back to my thread "[Grammar] These days, everyone looks up things on their smartphones". Can the following replies also apply to my question here?

To me, "everyone looks things up on their smartphones" suggests that each of those people has more than one smartphone. Of course, that's true for some people but not for everyone. I'd use the singular.

I'd use the plural form, and I'd encourage my students to, too.

When selecting whether to use singular or plural forms in English, the way we conceive of what we're talking about very often trumps the grammar of the words we're using.

It doesn't matter that the word Everyone is grammatically singular—the concept is a multiplicity. In other words, the statement is really about all people, not just one individual person, and not the single idea of a person. This multiple concept is strengthened by the use of the plural form their.

Whether people have more than one smartphone is irrelevant to the idea that's being expressed here.

I'm not at all saying that the singular form is wrong, because it is common usage, and it sounds very natural, but just that I think the plural form expresses the true thought better.

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

 

[Tdol]

c. There are lots of people having a picnic.
d. There are lots of people having picnics.

I can't get worked up either way. :up:

 

[jutfrank]

If you're referring to more than one picnic, use picnics. Simple.

 

[kadioguy]

I can't get worked up either way. :up:

So what way can make you work up? ;-)

If you're referring to more than one picnic, use picnics. Simple.

Thank you. So we are not saying "a picnic" is incorrect, but "picnics" is better. Do I understand correctly?

 

[jutfrank]

So we are not saying "a picnic" is incorrect, but "picnics" is better. Do I understand correctly?

I didn't mean to say that a picnic was wrong. I personally think picnics is better, though some may prefer otherwise.

I was trying to give you in post #5 what I think is the simplest and clearest rule of use.

 

[kadioguy]

I didn't mean to say that a picnic was wrong. I personally think picnics is better, though some may prefer otherwise.

I was trying to give you in post #5 what I think is the simplest and clearest rule of use.

Thank you for the kind reply, jutfrank.
I just found more information about this. I hope it also helps.

Practical English Usage 3rd

530 singular and plural (8): distributive plural

1 people doing the same thing

To talk about several people each doing the same thing, English usually prefers a plural noun for the repeated idea.

Tell the kids to bring raincoats to school tomorrow. (More natural than Tell the kids to bring a raincoat ... )
​

Plural forms are almost always used in this case if there are possessives.

Tell the children to blow their noses. (NOT ... to blow their nose.)
Six people lost their lives in the accident.
​

Uncountable nouns cannot of course be used in the plural.

They were all anxious to increase their knowledge. (NOT ... their knowledges.)
​

2 repeated events

In descriptions of repeated single events, singular and plural nouns are both possible. When no details are given, plural nouns are more natural.

I often get headaches. (NOT I often get a headache.)
She sometimes goes for rides over the hills.
​

When details of the time or situation are given, nouns are often singular.

I often get a headache when I've been working on the computer.
She often goes for a ride over the hills before supper.
​

Singular nouns may also be used to avoid misunderstanding.

I sometimes throw a stone into the river and wish for good luck. (NOT I sometimes throw stones ... - only one stone is thrown each time.)
​

To refer to the time of repeated events, both singular and plural expressions are often possible with little difference of meaning.

We usually go and see my mother on Saturday(s).
He's not at his best in the morning(s).
​

3 generalisations and rules

In generalisations and rules, singular and plural nouns are both possible.

We use a past participle in a perfect verb form. (OR We use past participles in perfect verb forms.)
All documents must be accompanied by a translation of the original. (OR All documents must be accompanied by translations of the originals.)
​

Mixtures of singular and plural are possible.

Subjects agree with their verb.
Children may resemble both their father and their mother in different ways.
​

This often happens with fixed singular expressions like at the beginning.

Discourse markers usually come at the beginning of sentences.
​

 

[Tdol]

So what way can make you work up?

Like most, I do have my language bugbears. ;-)

 

[Tarheel]

Kadioguy, try:

So what does get you worked up?