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Personal pronouns for companies
Thread poster: patyjs
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 08:22
Spanish to English
+ ...
Go figure.... Feb 4, 2016

Michael Wetzel wrote:
... However, this strategy is not available in American English except by way of various sleights of hand, such as using "we" or adding something to the name of the company so that the subject does in fact become plural: "Everyone at Coca-Cola feels ..."


Just goes to prove the old saying: "It's tough at the top"

 
patyjs
patyjs  Identity Verified
Mexico
Local time: 01:22
Spanish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks for the input. Feb 4, 2016

I have to agree with Neilmac in using personal preference. I have no problem using "it" in legal documents, but "they" certainly makes it more human feeling, so in this case, which was an advertising video, it (meaning "they") seemed the best choice.
 
Michael Wetzel
Michael Wetzel  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 08:22
German to English
also a long way down from a high horse Feb 5, 2016

patyjs wrote:

Is there a standard way to refer to companies when using personal pronouns. I don't know whether to use "its" or "theirs."

For example: XXXX gives you an exclusive gift inspired by its/their (product name).

Thanks


Looking back at the original example, I have to say ...

... of course it is appropriate to write "Burger King gives you an exclusive gifit inspired by their Whopper."

What I was going on about was not completely unfounded (the use of "its" is pretty close to obligatory in the US in general), but apparently it was not all that relevant either.

As everyone thinking more clearly has already said: At some point, you have to follow what your gut says in a given context.

[Edited at 2016-02-05 15:13 GMT]

[Edited at 2016-02-05 15:13 GMT]
 
Peter Zhuang
Peter Zhuang  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 08:22
German to English
+ ...
Common reference Feb 5, 2016

While not foolproof, I think referring and sticking to an established style guide is a good idea. Your customer would probably be more easily convinced when they know that a respected publication agrees with your choice of style.

Here's what The Guardian, which arguably writes good English, said regarding company names and collective nouns:

1. Company names are always singular

2. Nouns such as committee, family, government, jury, squad and team take a singu... See more
While not foolproof, I think referring and sticking to an established style guide is a good idea. Your customer would probably be more easily convinced when they know that a respected publication agrees with your choice of style.

Here's what The Guardian, which arguably writes good English, said regarding company names and collective nouns:

1. Company names are always singular

2. Nouns such as committee, family, government, jury, squad and team take a singular verb or pronoun when thought of as a single unit, but a plural verb or pronoun when thought of as a collection of individuals

A few examples have been given in their style guide. Here's the link for those interested: http://www.theguardian.com/guardian-observer-style-guide-c

My takeaway is that maintaining consistency in a sentence is key. ▲ Collapse
 
Richard Purdom
Richard Purdom  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 07:22
Dutch to English
+ ...
it! Feb 5, 2016

Companies are always 'it' IMHO, unless I'm talking informally, when they become plural. So if you're translating (informal) speech, you can use the plural, otherwise play safe and use 'it'.

However, the informal does tend to take over the formal, which is why we now say 'the police are coming' or 'Manchester United are doing well', and definitely 'The Beatles were successful (and not 'The Beatles was a successful group'.
 
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Personal pronouns for companies







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