which is hard to achieve if they work more than 10 hours

[I'm a Chubby Baby]

Hi, everyone. Are all the 'they' and 'their' clearly refer to the red 'people'. I think the last 'they' may refer to 'their loved ones'. How to fix it? Thanks!

In general, people work hard not only for themselves but also for their loved ones. They want to get their kids a good education; they want to buy a bigger house for their families. However, often what their loved ones want is simply more time together, which is hard to achieve if they work more than 10 hours a day.

 

[Tarheel]

Hi, everyone! Does every 'they' and 'their' clearly refer to the red 'people'? I think the last 'they' may refer to 'their loved ones'. How can I fix it?

In general, people work hard not only for themselves but also for their loved ones. They want to get their kids a good education; they want to buy a bigger house for their families. However, often what their loved ones want is simply more time together, which is hard to achieve if they work more than 10 hours a day.

The last "their" is rather ambiguous. I would rephrase that sentence.

 

[I'm a Chubby Baby]

I would rephrase that sentence.

Thanks, how about using 'one'? But I'm afraid there are too many 'one' in a row! Also, is it good to first use 'they' and 'their', and then switch to 'one'?

In general, people work hard not only for themselves but also for their loved ones. They want to get their kids a good education; they want to buy a bigger house for their families. However, often what one's loved ones want is simply more time together, which is hard to achieve when one works more than 10 hours a day.

 

[probus]

Personally I like using "one" but I fear it's often considered too formal and stuffy in North America. Most people around here use "you" instead of "one".

 

[Tarheel]

I would use you instead of one (as Probus suggested) and say:

which is hard to achieve when you work ten hours a day.

 

[I'm a Chubby Baby]

Thanks, everyone. I realized if I use 'person' instead of 'people' at the beginning, then I don't need to switch from 'they' and 'their' to 'one' or 'you'. Please let me know if all the pronouns are clear.

In general, a person works hard not only for themselves but also for their loved ones. They want to get their kids a good education; they want to buy a bigger house for their families. However, often what their loved ones/the person's loved ones????? want is simply more time together, which is hard to achieve when the person works more than 10 hours a day. Once their kids are grown-ups and their parents passed away, they/the person??? can't get those years back anymore.

Does the last 'they' refer to 'the person'?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Hi, everyone. Do [STRIKE]all the[/STRIKE] 'they' and 'their' clearly refer to the red 'people'? I think the last 'they' may refer to 'their loved ones'.

You're right.

How can I fix it? Thanks!

In general, people work hard not only for themselves but also for their loved ones. They want to get their kids a good education; they want to buy a bigger house for their family. However, often what their loved ones want is simply more time together, which is hard to achieve working more thanthe hours a day.

You could also say, "when you work" or "when people work."

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Thanks, everyone. I realized if I use 'person' instead of 'people' at the beginning, then I don't need to switch from 'they' and 'their' to 'one' or 'you'. Please let me know if all the pronouns are clear.

In general, people work hard not only for themselves but also for their loved ones. They want to get their kids [STRIKE]a[/STRIKE] good educations, they want to buy [STRIKE]a[/STRIKE] bigger houses for their families. However, often what their loved ones[STRIKE]/the person's loved ones?????[/STRIKE] want is simply more time together, which is hard to achieve when people work more than ten hours a day. Once their kids are grown-ups and their parents passed away, they[STRIKE]/the person???[/STRIKE] can't get those years back anymore.

Does the last 'they' refer to 'the person'?

It's clear you're referring to working people.

In both your versions, you hop back and forth from singular to plural. It's confusing.

 

[I'm a Chubby Baby]

Charlie, you used 'their family' in #7 but 'their families' in #8. Which one is correct? Thanks!

 

[Tarheel]

Two things. One, you seem not to know what work is for. Two, yes they can't get the time back, but if the breadwinner doesn't work and provide for his family there will be no money to buy anything.

 

[Tarheel]

Charlie, you used 'their family' in #7 but 'their families' in #8. Which one is correct?

Charlie didn't create the problem. I suggest that you pick somebody to stand for everyman. (Call him Walter or maybe Tom.) Take it from there.