[Grammar] What's their phone number?

[sobhan477]

Can we say: What's their phone number? Why don't we use a plural form and add a "s" to the noun?
For example
What's their phone number?
or
What are their phone numbers?

 

[Tdol]

Re: hi

If you're talking about two people who have one phone number, then the singular makes sense.

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: hi

Welcome to the forum, sobhan.

Please note that I have changed your thread title.

Extract from the Posting Guidelines:

'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'

 

[emsr2d2]

It also works if you don't know the sex of the person you're talking about.

John: I'll be at my cousin's house this weekend so can you phone me there please?
Sarah: OK. What's their phone number?

If John had clarified the sex by using his cousin's name, Sarah would say "What's his/her phone number?"

 

[Skrej]

Re: hi

If you're talking about two people who have one phone number, then the singular makes sense.

This extends to a company or organization as well.

 

[Tdol]

Re: hi

Yes, and yes. ;-)

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: hi

Also answered here.