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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Himself
Is 'himself' appropriate here?
John was afraid to challenge Jim, because the latter was as great a boxer as himself.
John was afraid to challenge Jim, because the latter was as great a boxer as himself.
Top answer
Technically it works, but it doesn't read well.
- Technically it works, but it doesn't read well.
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3 Answers
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AnonymousIs 'himself' appropriate here?No. The scope of a reflexive is limited to the clause it's in. Thus, the latter (Jim) was as great a boxer as himself (Jim), which is tautologous and therefore uninformative.
CJ
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I agree with CalifJim. It reads as if Jim is as great a boxer as Jim. How about:
John was afraid to challenge Jim, because Jim was an equally great boxer.
John was afraid to challenge Jim, because Jim was an equally great boxer.
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