[Grammar] reading a book or reading books?

[Jilibili]

Hi,
I was wondering which one of the following sentences is correct?
They are reading a book. or They are reading books.
They are eating a hamburger or They are eating hamburgers.

Should we make the noun (i.e. a book, a hamburger) plural because of the pronoun?

Are both of them correct? Does it depend on the context?

 

[teechar]

They are reading a book.

two or more people, one book

They are reading books.

two or more people, two or more books

They are eating a hamburger.

two or more people, one hamburger

They are eating hamburgers.

two or more people, two or more hamburgers

 

[Jilibili]

Thanks for your response.

So you mean all of them are correct and possible?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes. teechar has just demonstrated that.

 

[tzfujimino]

http://www.google.co.jp/imgres?imgu...d=0CCcQMygLMAtqFQoTCOeBpLqCnMcCFUQspgod4ygH0A

How should I describe the picture?
Is it OK for me to say "They are reading a book" or should I say "Each of them is reading a book"?
I'm sorry to ask such a silly question.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I would say 'They are each reading a book', but I am not a teacher.

 

[Barb_D]

This idea of "distributive plurals" can be researched.

Sometimes either can be used without confusion.
The girls all brought a book with them. -- You can assume each had their own.

The girls bought a book for their friend's birthday. -- Did they all pay towards one book, or each give their own? You would have to clarify.

Use common sense - many people would not eat one hamburger. They were all having a hamburger when I got there. -- You're not confused, are you?

 

[Abstract Idea]

===== Not a teacher =====

I'm sorry to ask such a silly question.

There is no silly question when it comes to true inquiring. With this picture I could understand better the reasons for your doubt.

How should I describe the picture?
Is it OK for me to say "They are reading a book" or should I say "Each of them is reading a book"?
I'm sorry to ask such a silly question.

Here I would never say "They are reading a book", instead "Each of them is reading a book" is perfect.

"They are reading books" is also OK - although not so precise as the previous (it would need context to be understood).

You may also say "They are each reading a book".