Not all vs. not every

[hirashin]

Dear native English speakers,

I have another question.

Which sentences would be used?
(a) Not all the American people are rich.
(b) Not all the Americans are rich.
(c) Not all Americans are rich.
(d) Not every American person is rich.
(e) Not every American is rich.

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin

 

[Half-n-Half]

(c) and (e) seem the most natural. (a) and (b) sound like you are talking about a group of Americans out of a larger group of people who are not American. This is because "the" is being used; it sounds like it is being used to select a specific group of people (Americans).

 

[hirashin]

Hello, Half-n-Half. Ohisashiburi desu. Thank you for the help.

Are you in Japan now?

Hirashin

 

[Half-n-Half]

Yep, I've been in Sendai for almost a month now.

 

[FrustratedDave]

Ah crap... I don't know which is correct any more. I hate English, sorry I could not help you but I am losing my English skills slowly , but surely.

 

[hirashin]

Hello, Dave san. Thanks for your trying to help me. Are you originally from the United States if I may ask?
Hirashin

---------- Post added at 00:34 ---------- Previous post was at 00:30 ----------

Oh, Half-n-half san, you are in Sendai! Are you studying in a university there if I may ask?

Hirashin

 

[hirashin]

I have a further question.

How about these?
(f) Not all American people are rich.
(g) Not every American person is rich.

Hirashin

 

[OoTmaster]

I think those are both right. I wouldn't use g personally. It sounds rather stiff to me. I might say, "Not everyboy in America is rich." instead.

 

[FrustratedDave]

Hello, Dave san. Thanks for your trying to help me. Are you originally from the United States if I may ask?
Hirashin

Hirashin

Not from America, but my mother tongue is English.

 

[Half-n-Half]

Oh, Half-n-half san, you are in Sendai! Are you studying in a university there if I may ask?

Yep, I'm in my first year of a Master's program.

 

[hirashin]

Thank you for your reply, Dave san.

Don't you use English in your everyday life any more?

Thank you for the help, OoTmaster san.

Hello, Half-n-half san. What's your major if I may ask?

Hirashin

 

[Half-n-Half]

I'm majoring in physics and the research group I'm with is in theoretical particle physics.

 

[FrustratedDave]

Thank you for your reply, Dave san.

Don't you use English in your everyday life any more?

Thank you for the help, OoTmaster san.

Hello, Half-n-half san. What's your major if I may ask?

Hirashin

Only to speak to my Mum/Dad or brothers which is only about once every two weeks. I still watch English TV where I can, but 995 of my day is Japanese.

I am coming up to the point where I have spent more time in Japan than the country I was born in.

 

[hirashin]

Thank you for the reply, Dave san. Why did you choose to live in Japan if I may ask?
Is it more comfortable for you to live in Japan than in the country where you were born?

Hirashin