How to Grammatically Express a Happy Birthday Wish to a Third Person

To express a happy birthday wish when referring to someone in the third person (he, she, it, they, or a specific name like "John" when he's the subject of discussion, not direct address), you typically use phrases that convey your wish indirectly, often involving a verb like "wish" or "tell."

Expressing Birthday Wishes for a Third Person

When you're not speaking directly to the person whose birthday it is, but rather speaking about them, the phrasing shifts to accommodate their status as a third party.

Direct vs. Indirect Communication

The way you phrase a birthday wish depends on whether you are communicating directly with the birthday person or indirectly through another individual.

• Direct Communication (when the "third person" is present): If the person whose birthday it is (e.g., your friend John) is present and you are speaking to them, they become the "second person" in that interaction. In this case, you simply say:
  • "Happy Birthday, John!"
  • "Happy Birthday, dear!"
• Indirect Communication (when referring to someone not present or as a subject): If you are talking about someone else's birthday to a different person (e.g., discussing John's birthday with Sarah), you would use a third-person construction.

Key Phrases for Indirect Wishes

Here are common ways to express a birthday wish for a third person:

1. Using "Wish": This is a straightforward way to ask someone to convey your regards.

   • "Please wish him a happy birthday for me."
   • "Could you wish her a happy birthday?"
   • "I'd like to wish them a happy birthday."
   • "Remember to wish John a happy birthday when you see him."

2. Using "Tell": This is another common phrase to deliver a message.

   • "Tell her I said happy birthday."
   • "Please tell him 'Happy Birthday' from me."
   • "Don't forget to tell them happy birthday!"

3. Stating Your Hope or Intention: You can also express your hope for their day.

   • "I hope she has a wonderful birthday."
   • "I hope he enjoys his special day."
   • "I hope they have a fantastic birthday celebration."

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement in Birthday Wishes

When forming sentences where a third person is the subject performing the action of wishing, it's crucial to follow the rules of subject-verb agreement in English. A fundamental rule is that for a third person singular number (he, she, it, or any singular noun like "the company," "my friend"), the verb in the simple present tense takes an "s" or "es" suffix.

This means:

• He/She/It wishes: The verb "wish" becomes "wishes" when the subject is third-person singular.
• I/You/We/They wish: The verb "wish" remains "wish" when the subject is first person (I, We), second person (You), or third person plural (They).

Here’s a table illustrating correct subject-verb agreement when expressing birthday wishes:

Examples in Context

Consider these scenarios to see how the phrases are applied:

• Scenario 1: You're talking to a mutual friend about Sarah's birthday, and Sarah is not present.
  • "Could you please wish Sarah a happy birthday for me?"
  • "I hope she has a truly wonderful birthday tomorrow!"
• Scenario 2: Someone asks about John's birthday wishes.
  • "My brother wishes John a happy birthday. He couldn't make it to the party." (Here, "My brother" is the third-person singular subject.)
  • "We all wish John the very best on his special day." (Here, "We all" is a plural subject.)

Tips for Effective Communication

• Be Specific: If you know details about their plans, you can incorporate them: "I hope she has a great time at her party!"
• Personalize (if appropriate): Add a personal touch if you have a close relationship with the birthday person.
• Timeliness: Ensure your wish is conveyed on or around their actual birthday.