Neither the Senator nor the Representative could defent their position

defend?

The pronoun should be singular -- his or her.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement 1.No one on the Village Conucil would permit himself to be quoted.

No one on the Village Conucil would permit himself to be quoted.

Correct.

To determine why neither the Senator nor the Representative could defend their position, we would need more context or information regarding the specific situation or issue they were discussing. However, we can provide a general explanation of possible reasons which may apply in different scenarios.

1. Lack of preparation: It is possible that they did not adequately research or prepare for the discussion or debate. Both the Senator and the Representative should have a deep understanding of the subject matter, including facts, statistics, and supporting evidence to strengthen their arguments.

2. Weak argumentation: The Senator and the Representative may have failed to present convincing arguments or address counterarguments effectively. Constructing a solid argument requires logical reasoning, clarity, and coherence, and failing to do so can hamper their ability to defend their position.

3. Inadequate communication skills: Even if their ideas were well-founded, poor communication skills could have hindered their ability to articulate their points clearly and persuasively. It is important to express ideas effectively, ensure clarity, and engage with the audience or opposing viewpoints.

4. Lack of knowledge or expertise: If the issue at hand required specialized knowledge or expertise, the Senator or the Representative may have been unfamiliar or insufficiently knowledgeable about the topic. This lack of expertise could have made it challenging for them to defend their position effectively.

5. Overwhelming opposition: In some cases, both the Senator and the Representative might have faced overwhelming opposition or counterarguments that provided more compelling or persuasive reasons against their position. It can be difficult to defend a position when faced with strong and well-supported opposing arguments.

These are some general explanations as to why neither the Senator nor the Representative could defend their position. However, without specific context, it is challenging to provide a more accurate analysis.