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Tenacious Learner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Are they suitable synomyms? (9-1)

Hi teachers,
Could 'be on guard' and 'be on alert' be suitable synomyms for 'watch out' in the following sentence?
A policeman came to tell the old lady in the cottage to watch out for him.

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

Hi, Thinking Spain, First of all, the sentence contains what I call a fuzzy pronoun reference. The only antecedent of him is policeman , and that's obviously not right. Although many would tell you that context usually prevents such confusion, I consider it lazy writing.

— RandomGuy

  • Hi, Thinking Spain, First of all, the sentence contains what I call a fuzzy pronoun reference.
  • The only antecedent of him is policeman , and that's obviously not right.
  • Although many would tell you that context usually prevents such confusion, I consider it lazy writing.
  • Replace him with fugitive , burglar , etc.
  • Yes, I do think the two phrases are possible synonyms for watch out .
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2 Answers
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Hi, Thinking Spain,

First of all, the sentence contains what I call a fuzzy pronoun reference. The only antecedent of him is policeman, and that's obviously not right. Although many would tell you that context usually prevents such confusion, I consider it lazy writing. Replace him with fugitive, burglar, etc.

Yes, I do think the two phrases are
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Hi Aspara Gus,
Thank you so much for your detalied explanations, advice, and help.Emotion: smile

TS
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