Language/French/Grammar/Singular-or-plural-when-a-number-of-individuals-have-one-item-each

French Grammar - Singular or plural when a number of individuals have one item each

When reference is made to one body part, one item of clothing, or one more general personal attribute, but two or more people are involved, the entity is usually referred to in the singular:

• Nous nous sommes tous les deux cassés le bras

We both broke our arms

• Ils ont levé la main droite

They raised their right hands

• Les étudiants sont priés d'inscrire leur nom de famille à l'endroit prévu

Students are requested to write their surnames in the space provided

• Ils ont tous accroché leur manteau dans l'entrée

They all hung their coats up in the entrance hall

• Les jumeaux ont vécu leur vie d'une manière indépendante

The twins lived their lives independently