Search from various English teachers...
Maria
Hi! Please These two sentences can be said in the following ways?
A
*maybe the fates played a joke on me
*now they’re laughing at your life and mine
B
Maybe the fate played a joke on me
Now it’s laughing at your life and mine
Thanks!
Is something wrong with the grammar?
May 31, 2021 11:19 PM
Answers · 11
2
Will is correct that "fate" can be used as a singular noun, with no article. However, it's also perfectly common to say "the fates." The plural form is a reference to ancient Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, there are three "Fates" (three goddesses who control human destiny). So you can say either "Maybe the Fates played a joke on me" or "Maybe fate played a joke on me." Technically, if you're referring to the goddesses, the word "Fates" should be capitalized.
References to the Fates are common in English literature, so the plural form is perfectly normal. Maybe it's a little bit literary. (It sounds perfectly normal to me, but then, I'm a literature teacher.)
To me, the sentence "Now it's laughing at your life and mine" sounds a little strange, because "fate" in the singular usually isn't really regarded as an intelligent being. Fate is just a force; it doesn't really have emotions. The sentence is grammatically not incorrect, and you can certainly use it if you want to. But to me, the plural version makes more sense, since "the Fates" are goddesses, and it doesn't seem strange for them to laugh at someone.
June 1, 2021
1
In life, there is one entity called fate (one abstract power that some people believe controls all events). Therefore, you don't need to pluralise the noun "fate", and you don't need to use the definite article before it.
You'd simply say: "Maybe fate played a joke on me."
May 31, 2021
1
It is equally important that a sentence is grammatically accurate AND sounds natural and idiomatic so one of these 2 versions would work well :
1 Maybe Fate has played a joke/a trick on me/us and is now laughing at me /us
2 Maybe the gods have played ....
June 1, 2021
Or
Maybe fate's played a joke on me
Now its laughing at your life and mine
Fate has
June 1, 2021
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Maria
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
English
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
21 likes · 17 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
15 likes · 12 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
13 likes · 6 Comments
More articles
