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Lucas21c Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Indefinite pronouns
I can use three indefinite pronouns(one/another/the other) to refer three non-specific beings, objects, or places, for example, "One is red, another is blue, and the other is black." However, if there are more than three non-specific beings, objects, or places, what pronoun should I use? Could you confirm whether the following example sentences are right?
1. One is red, another is blue, a third is white, and the other is black.
2. One is red, another is blue, a third is white, a fourth is purple, and the other is black.
If the above sentences are okay, can I also replace 'a third' with 'the third' and 'a fourth' with 'the fourth'?
1. One is red, another is blue, a third is white, and the other is black.
2. One is red, another is blue, a third is white, a fourth is purple, and the other is black.
If the above sentences are okay, can I also replace 'a third' with 'the third' and 'a fourth' with 'the fourth'?
Top answer
Your approach is awkward and unnatural. Natural English is eg I have a red one, a blue one, a white one and a black one. eg I have five shirts: red, blue, white, purple and black.
- Your approach is awkward and unnatural.
- Natural English is eg I have a red one, a blue one, a white one and a black one.
- eg I have five shirts: red, blue, white, purple and black.
- Clive
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6 Answers
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Your approach is awkward and unnatural.
Natural English is
eg I have a red one, a blue one, a white one and a black one.
eg I have five shirts: red, blue, white, purple and black.
Clive
Natural English is
eg I have a red one, a blue one, a white one and a black one.
eg I have five shirts: red, blue, white, purple and black.
Clive
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How about the following sentence with indefinite pronouns? Is it also awkward?
I have three fruits. One is an apple, another is a banana, and the other is an oragne.
I have three fruits. One is an apple, another is a banana, and the other is an oragne.
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Yes, it is..
Use 'fruits' only if you are speaking of species of fruit in a context like this.
Over 50 fruits are indigenous to Canada,
Otherwise, speak of eg pieces of fruit.. Or reword, eg I have an apple, a banana . . . .
Use 'fruits' only if you are speaking of species of fruit in a context like this.
Over 50 fruits are indigenous to Canada,
Otherwise, speak of eg pieces of fruit.. Or reword, eg I have an apple, a banana . . . .
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lucas21cif there are more than three non-specific beings, objects, or places, what pronoun should I use?You can keep using "another" forever.
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Thank you all for your helps. I will remember all of your advice. By the way, I have other additional questions about indefinite pronouns. Could you answer my following questions?
1. How about "I have four pens, one is red, another is blue, a third is white, and the other is black"? Is it as possible as "I have four pens, one is red, another is blue, another is whi
1. How about "I have four pens, one is red, another is blue, a third is white, and the other is black"? Is it as possible as "I have four pens, one is red, another is blue, another is whi
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lucas21c1. How about "I have four pens, one is red, another is blue, a third is white, and the other is black"? Is it as possible as "I have four pens, one is red, another is blue, another is white, and the other is black"?Yes, you can do that.
lucas21c(1) I have two pens, one is red, and the other is black.(2) I have three pens
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