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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Pronoun Usage
In which sentence is the use of pronouns correct?
1. Golden dart frogs choose to live in groups because it is a very social animal.
2. A certain kind of snake is resistant to the frog's venom, and therefore it is his only predator.
3. The golden dart frog is poisonous, even though their appearance seems harmless.
4. A scientist must wear gloves to protect his skin from touching the skin of the frogs.
Two and four are implying that all of the frogs and all of the scientists are male. But one and three don't seem to have correct subject/pronoun agreement. A little help?
1. Golden dart frogs choose to live in groups because it is a very social animal.
2. A certain kind of snake is resistant to the frog's venom, and therefore it is his only predator.
3. The golden dart frog is poisonous, even though their appearance seems harmless.
4. A scientist must wear gloves to protect his skin from touching the skin of the frogs.
Two and four are implying that all of the frogs and all of the scientists are male. But one and three don't seem to have correct subject/pronoun agreement. A little help?
Top answer
1 and 3 do not have correct agreement. 2 and 4 do imply that the subject is male, but I don't see that as an important factor.
- 1 and 3 do not have correct agreement.
- 2 and 4 do imply that the subject is male, but I don't see that as an important factor.
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4 Answers
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1 and 3 do not have correct agreement. 2 and 4 do imply that the subject is male, but I don't see that as an important factor.
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I am less accepting of the gender problem than Philip.
For me, #2 should be A certain kind of snake is resistant to the frog's venom, and therefore it is its only predator.
#4 would be better as: A scientist must wear gloves to protect his/her skin from touching the skin of the frogs.
Or: Scientists must wear gloves to protect th
For me, #2 should be A certain kind of snake is resistant to the frog's venom, and therefore it is its only predator.
#4 would be better as: A scientist must wear gloves to protect his/her skin from touching the skin of the frogs.
Or: Scientists must wear gloves to protect th
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2. I agree with its, unless of course we know for certain that the snake happens to be of the male gender.
4. When in doubt, I almost always use the plural forms, as I just cannot "do" the his/her thing.
4. When in doubt, I almost always use the plural forms, as I just cannot "do" the his/her thing.
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For #4 The his/her option is not a problem for me, but ... why not use "Scientists must wear gloves to protect their skin"? After all, seems to me there might be more than one scientist in the world working with this breed of frogs.
As for #2 I agree with using 'its', for me personally, I have only ever used 'it' when referring to animals whether I know the *** or not. I've always just u
As for #2 I agree with using 'its', for me personally, I have only ever used 'it' when referring to animals whether I know the *** or not. I've always just u
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