Is it correct to say 'someone other than they two'?

Question

Here's the full sentence:

Sarah was upset that someone other than they two knew where the
treasure was.

I don't even know how to phrase this question, but the phrase in italic sounds wrong and I don't know what it is that is wrong. I've tried to enter this phrase into Google and noting pops up to kind of direct my research. Is this correct, and if it isn't, what's the best way to rewrite this sentence?

LPH · Answer

"Someone other than they two" does not seem to me to be idiomatic at all. It is not found in the books. (ngram)
However, the suggestion that has been made in the comments (those two) does not appear to have the quality of being the perfectly neutral wording that appears to be needed. I'd suggest something else: "other than the two of them".

Sarah was upset that someone other than the two of them knew where the treasure was.

(ref.) Deborah Cooke — 'Were there any Pyr in DC other than the two of them? No! It couldn't be! Raffery spun again, but Thorolf was keeping a wary distance.

Is it correct to say 'someone other than they two'?

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question