[Grammar] Why singular?

[Vaedoris]

Hi teachers, may I know why the author wrote "a child" instead of "children" in the sentence below?

At least eight of the nine members of the outgoing Politburo Standing Committee have a child who has studied or worked extensively abroad.

I've read countless of similar sentences that begin with plural nouns but describe their non-common possessions as singular. Why can't I find such sentence construction in grammar textbooks?

 

[5jj]

Hi teachers, may I know why the author wrote "a child" instead of "children" in the sentence below?

The writer wants to make it clear that each member has one child who has studied or worked abroad. It is quite possible that some or all of the members may have more than one child, but not all of these other children have studied or worked abroad.

 

[Vaedoris]

The writer wants to make it clear that each member has one child who has studied or worked abroad. It is quite possible that some or all of the members may have more than one child, but not all of these other children have studied or worked abroad.

Thank you

Is the sentence grammatically correct?

It can be understood that the sentence describes what you have just explained, but technically can I or not grasp the meaning as such: the eight members have one common child?

It sounds ridiculous but technically, can the sentence be understood like so?

 

[bhaisahab]

Thank you

Is the sentence grammatically correct? Yes.

It can be understood that the sentence describes what you have just explained, but technically can I or not grasp the meaning as such: the eight members have one common child?

It sounds ridiculous but technically, can the sentence be understood like so? No.

Bhai.

 

[Vaedoris]

Bhai.

Thank you