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A question



ueslteacher
Ukraine

A question
 
Could you help me with the use of downtown? What is the right way to say:
There are many historical buildings downtown... (the name of the city).
OR
There are many historical buildings in the downtown of ... (the name of the city)
Looking forward to your replies,
Sophia

18 Apr 2011      





douglas
United States

I would say: "in downtown Chicago"
 
some also say: "in the downtown area of..."
 
or you can use center vs downtown

18 Apr 2011     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

Thanks a bunch, DougSmile
Would you mind helping me out with one more?
What �s the correct question tag here:
Every family has a holiday lunch, ...? (don �t they?)
Sophia

18 Apr 2011     



yanogator
United States

Yes, "don �t they" sounds best.
 
Bruce

18 Apr 2011     



douglas
United States

I don �t know the right answer to your second question.  The problem is whether to treat family as singular or plural.
 
I would use "don�t they"(plural, many family members), but I suspect someone will tell us that it should be "doesn�t it" (singular, one family)
 
 
Douglas

18 Apr 2011     



Zora
Canada

I agree with Bruce and Douglas.

I think that although "family" is singular that by using "Every" with family, it gives the sensation of more than one and that is why we �d probably use "don �t they". (or at least us native speakers would).

 

18 Apr 2011     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

Thanks you, dear friends, for helping me out again! I �m so happy I can come here in times of doubtWink
It just seemed weird to me calling family "it", though grammatically it sounds ok.
Sophia

18 Apr 2011