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Does this sentence make any sense?

I have time write an American literature essay in present tense in 3rd person. I can't use the word you so I chose to use the word one instead. Does this make sense: if one was an American white born male, they were not expected to hide their culture in any way. Does it make sense. If it doesn't how do I make it make sense

4 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    "If one were an American white male, people would not expect him to

    hide his culture in any way."

    Sorry, I honestly don't really know what you are trying to say, so the sentence

    above is the best I can come up with.

  • Anonymous
    8 years ago

    White American males are not expected to hide their culture.

    Your third-person noun is 'White American males,' which is third-person plural (they). Your present tense verb is 'are.'

    If you're dead set on using the form in your post: If one were a white male born in America, he is not expected to hide his culture in any way.

    You use 'were' instead of 'was' because you're statement is in the subjunctive mood rather than the indicative mood. See http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm or do a web search on 'subjunctive mood.'

  • Anonymous
    8 years ago

    I would switch around "white" & "American, then after the comma switch the sentence to "they would not be expected to hide their culture in any way"

  • ?
    Lv 4
    8 years ago

    yea seem like white should be before american i dont know for sure though other than that sounds good

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