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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Repeating words within a sentence to prevent ambiguity

You look like a scarecrow, you with your straw hat and loose-fitting, old t.shirt.

I believe the above sentence is fine.

Is there a name for this repeated subject in bold (would you call this a resumptive modifier), or is this just emulating the way we speak?

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Could one argue that sometimes it is used because it prevents ambiguity about what exactly is being modified?

I saw a man who was walking into the house, with clothing that was entirely inappropriate.

Perhaps this isn't the best example, but maybe it is technically better if we make it clear what the prepositional phrase is modifiying:

I saw a man who was walking into the house, a man with clothing that was entirely inappropriate.

Thanks
  
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