The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencil vs The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencils

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. 'The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencil' implies that each person has one pencil to sharpen, while 'The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencils' suggests that each person has multiple pencils to sharpen.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 2212 views

The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencil

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to each person having one pencil to sharpen.

This phrase is used when each person is expected to sharpen only one pencil.

Examples:

The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencil before the test.

Show examples from the web [+]

It'll make Goldman sharpen their pencils a little more.
We'll provide Major Powers and his elite force... ...an accessible target to sharpen their superior skills.
Our businesses want to sharpen their ability to compete in global markets, not to be weighed down by unnecessary red tape and socialist regulation, much of which originates in Brussels and is then gold plated by our own Labour Government.
You were the one who always reminded everyone.
Rising malpractice rates tend to sharpen the mind.
You know, they say parents are the bones on which children sharpen their teeth.
What they like to do is sharpen their teeth on power cords.
The Council also reminded everyone that all sides in a conflict have to comply with International Humanitarian Law.
Get forensics to sharpen this up.
Been to the Black Bull first just to sharpen up.
We are here to sharpen our skills as a team.
He went to the stables to sharpen a knife.
I'll shift the backdrop to sharpen the silhouettes.
I'll prepare a tonic of Cayenne to sharpen the tongue.
There's nothing like a deadline to sharpen the mind.
Yea, nothing like an economical crisis to sharpen the creativity.
I've tried everything I can to sharpen it.
I'm relieved he's got somewhere else to sharpen his pencil.
Something to sharpen your coal with.
You have before you a gilded opportunity to sharpen your deductive prowess.

Alternatives:

The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen his or her pencil.

The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencils

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to each person having multiple pencils to sharpen.

This phrase is used when each person is expected to sharpen multiple pencils.

Examples:

The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencils for the art project.

Show examples from the web [+]

It'll make Goldman sharpen their pencils a little more.
We'll provide Major Powers and his elite force... ...an accessible target to sharpen their superior skills.
Our businesses want to sharpen their ability to compete in global markets, not to be weighed down by unnecessary red tape and socialist regulation, much of which originates in Brussels and is then gold plated by our own Labour Government.
You were the one who always reminded everyone.
Rising malpractice rates tend to sharpen the mind.
You know, they say parents are the bones on which children sharpen their teeth.
What they like to do is sharpen their teeth on power cords.
The Council also reminded everyone that all sides in a conflict have to comply with International Humanitarian Law.
Get forensics to sharpen this up.
Been to the Black Bull first just to sharpen up.
We are here to sharpen our skills as a team.
He went to the stables to sharpen a knife.
I'll shift the backdrop to sharpen the silhouettes.
I'll prepare a tonic of Cayenne to sharpen the tongue.
There's nothing like a deadline to sharpen the mind.
Yea, nothing like an economical crisis to sharpen the creativity.
I've tried everything I can to sharpen it.
I'm relieved he's got somewhere else to sharpen his pencil.
Something to sharpen your coal with.
You have before you a gilded opportunity to sharpen your deductive prowess.

Alternatives:

The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen his or her pencils.

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The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencil vs The teacher reminded everyone to sharpen their pencils