Possessive problem, Mary's or Jessica's ?

Question

Mary saw Jessica takes her book.what does 'her' refer to? Mary's or Jessica's?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Mary saw Jessica take her book.

I would interpret this as Jessica taking Mary's book.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

Her -refers to Mary.

Rover_KE · Answer

AnonymousMary saw Jessica take her book.

I would interpret this as Jessica taking Mary's book.

So would I.

However, with most other verbs it would be impossible to say whose book was meant.

'Mary saw Jessica drop her book.'

'Mary saw Jessica tear a page out of her book.'

'M saw J throw her book across the room.'

'M saw J hide her book behind the cupboard.'

All the above are ambiguous.

Rover

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,

In all those sentences, in terms of grammar, I would simply interpet the pronoun to apply to the most recently mentioned noun that is female, ie Jessica. That's 'the rule'.

However, an obvious meaning always trumps grammar.

eg The policewoman put Jessica in her police car.

Here, it seems obvious that 'her' refers to the policewoman.

If the meaning is not obvious and if one has doubts about the speaker's ability to speak precisely, it's wise to ask for clarification.

Clive

Possessive problem, Mary's or Jessica's ?

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