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AskAndAnswer Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Proper Possessive use
Hello, I have a question regarding the following sentence:
While looking into the mirror, they saw their own reflections’ depiction.
Q: Would it be correct to say own reflection’s or reflections’ as the proper form of possessive (given that the two people whose reflections we are talking about are embraced together)?
Thanks
While looking into the mirror, they saw their own reflections’ depiction.
Q: Would it be correct to say own reflection’s or reflections’ as the proper form of possessive (given that the two people whose reflections we are talking about are embraced together)?
Thanks
Top answer
They did not see depictions of their reflections in the mirror - they saw their own reflections. Forget depictions.
- They did not see depictions of their reflections in the mirror - they saw their own reflections.
- Forget depictions.
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10 Answers
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They did not see depictions of their reflections in the mirror - they saw their own reflections. Forget depictions.
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I would forget own as well, but that's just me.
While looking into the mirror, they saw their reflections.
While looking into the mirror, they saw their reflections.
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sure, but if the sentence was:
They saw their reflection's sharpness.
Would it be reflections' or reflection's if they are embraced?
They saw their reflection's sharpness.
Would it be reflections' or reflection's if they are embraced?
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Aspara GusYes, depictions is unnecessary. I would forget own as well, but that's just me. While looking into the mirror, they saw their reflections.Whose reflections? Depending on context, they could be anyone's. You need the "own" to define whose reflections the author is referring to.
BillJ
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BillJYou need the "own" to define whose reflections the author is referring to.Please.
The only sensible antecedent of their is of course they, and anyone adequately following the story would know who they were.
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Michael and Jenn, while in an everlasting embrace, saw their reflection's sharpness within the crystal clear mirror.
so in this case, which possessive would be more correct. Reflection's or reflections' ? since they are embraced so technically they are seeing one reflection, but since they are plural(two people) im wondering if it should be: reflections'
so in this case, which possessive would be more correct. Reflection's or reflections' ? since they are embraced so technically they are seeing one reflection, but since they are plural(two people) im wondering if it should be: reflections'
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AskAndAnswerThey saw their reflection's sharpnessPerhaps they commented on, or were surprised by the sharpness of their reflections, but I don't think we'd normally see this sharpness. If you really wanted to use an apostrophe rather than of, reflections' is more likely, in my opinion. Each person sees two reflections, one of him/herself
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Aspara GusThe only sensible antecedent of their is of course they, and anyone adequately following the story would know who they were.While looking into the mirror, they saw their reflections.
Taken in isolation, without "own", there is absolutely nothing whatsoever in the OP's example to indicate that the antecedent of "their" must be "they".
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BillJ Pretty obvious, really!While looking into the mirror, they saw their reflections.
Obvious indeed. Regardless of the context, the antecedent of their defaults to they, resulting in only one rational interpretation: the ones looking into the mirror saw their (own) reflections. This is a matter of not only elementary grammar b
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