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Techwriter Posted 23 years ago
Grammar

Sentence check

The sentence below was printed in a textbook. While it is agreed that it sounds awkward and other phrases would be better choices, the teacher of the class wants to know if it is grammatically correct:

She carries the purse with herself.

All agree that "She carries the purse herself" and "She carries the purse with her" are better, depending on the meaning needed, but just need to know if the above is within the rules of grammar. Thanks!Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

I agree that the two sentences you presented sound better. However, gramatically, I think that She carries the purse with herself is correct because the word herself is used for emphasis and clarification. On the other hand, her is also correct because it is not used reflexively, meaning that it is not both the subject and the direct object.

— Jacko

  • I agree that the two sentences you presented sound better.
  • However, gramatically, I think that She carries the purse with herself is correct because the word herself is used for emphasis and clarification.
  • On the other hand, her is also correct because it is not used reflexively, meaning that it is not both the subject and the direct object.
  • ").
  • That was just what I think.
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8 Answers
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I agree that the two sentences you presented sound better. However, gramatically, I think that She carries the purse with herself is correct because the word herself is used for emphasis and clarification. On the other hand, her is also correct because it is not used reflexively, meaning that it is not both the subject and the direct object. The direct object here is p
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Yes, different meanings.

-She carries the purse herself means nobody is helping her to carry it.
-She carries the purse with her means she has it with her.
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Thanks everyone for the help!Emotion: smile
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Please show me what is wrong with this sentence?
Who is the package from?
Thank you!
Sincerely yours,
Emily
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Back to techwriter's query...

I don't know. Although I can't find fault with any of the above reasoning, I still can't believe in the conclusion. If we agree that this logic is correct, then other sentences will succumb to a similar fate. These can't all be wrong:

I brought it with me.
I took it home with me.

I don't accept that "me" is wrong in any of these sen
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Emily,

"Who is the package from?" - "Who" should be "Whom".

And if you're being REALLY formal, you shouldn't end a sentence with "with" either - so the most formal answer would be "From whom is this package?"

Rommie
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Prepositions that signify position in space block the use of reflexive pronouns. Therefore, it is correct to say "She pushed the cart in front of her" and not "She pushed the cart in front of herself."
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Aha! So my gut feeling was correct. That makes me happy. Thanks for the rule, mask.

Rommie
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