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HUBLOT Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
A 111-metre leap off Africa's Victoria Falls Bridge
http://alturl.com/kebdr
An Australian woman has survived a terrifying fall after her bungee cord snapped during a 111-metre leap off Africa's Victoria Falls Bridge, plunging her into the crocodile-infested Zambezi River below.
Would it be correct to say a, not "her"?
An Australian woman has survived a terrifying fall after her bungee cord snapped during a 111-metre leap off Africa's Victoria Falls Bridge, plunging her into the crocodile-infested Zambezi River below.
Would it be correct to say a, not "her"?
Top answer
In which of these sentences would your prefer an 'a' instead of 'her'?
- In which of these sentences would your prefer an 'a' instead of 'her'?
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8 Answers
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In which of these sentences would your prefer an 'a' instead of 'her'?
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Sorry - I didn't see the yellow markings on the front page. 
But it already says 'a' - so do you want to know if you can sa
But it already says 'a' - so do you want to know if you can sa
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Although your suggestion is grammatically correct, it would be unclear who was using the bungee cord if 'a' were used instead of 'her' especially in the opening sentence of a news article.
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The sentence starts with "An Australian woman," so wouldn't it be better to say "during her 111-metre leap"? Wouldn't "during a 111-metre leap" make you say, "Whose leap?"
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I don't think that it really matters whether you use "her" or "a".
From a style perspective, "a" certainly makes the sentence flow more naturally. Otherwise, you have a sentence with "her" appearing too often (three times).
The essential point of the story is "An Australian woman has survived a terrifying fall after her bungee cord snapped." I think most readers will understand that
From a style perspective, "a" certainly makes the sentence flow more naturally. Otherwise, you have a sentence with "her" appearing too often (three times).
The essential point of the story is "An Australian woman has survived a terrifying fall after her bungee cord snapped." I think most readers will understand that
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I agree with John.
The first sentence clearly states the situation before the fall. So I am in no doubt as to whose leap it was.
The first sentence clearly states the situation before the fall. So I am in no doubt as to whose leap it was.
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"her" would be correct as well.
However, "a" or "the" in this context would seem more appropriate.
Hope this helps! =)
However, "a" or "the" in this context would seem more appropriate.
Hope this helps! =)
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