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Moon7296 Posted 15 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing
When he~, John saw~ (Backward pronominalization)
1. When John looked out the window, he saw that it was snowing.
2. When he looked out the window, John saw that it was snowing.
It is said that 'he' in #2 refers to 'John'.
Q1) According to that, the meaning of #1 and #2 are the same, aren't they?
Q2) #1 is the normal construction than #2 considering 'John' and its pronoun in the later cluase, isn't it?
Q3) When and Why the structure of #2 is used?
2. When he looked out the window, John saw that it was snowing.
It is said that 'he' in #2 refers to 'John'.
Q1) According to that, the meaning of #1 and #2 are the same, aren't they?
Q2) #1 is the normal construction than #2 considering 'John' and its pronoun in the later cluase, isn't it?
Q3) When and Why the structure of #2 is used?
Top answer
-- Yes. -- 'Normal'? In spoken English, perhaps.
- -- Yes.
- -- 'Normal'?
- In spoken English, perhaps.
- -- It is a style technique; it depends on how it fits into surrounding text.
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5 Answers
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Q1) According to that, the meaning of #1 and #2 are the same, aren't they?-- Yes.
Q2) #1 is the normal construction than #2 considering 'John' and its pronoun in the later cluase, isn't it?-- 'Normal'? In spoken English, perhaps.
Q3) When and Why the structure of #2 is used?-- It is a style technique; it depends on how it fits into surrounding text.
Q2) #1 is the normal construction than #2 considering 'John' and its pronoun in the later cluase, isn't it?-- 'Normal'? In spoken English, perhaps.
Q3) When and Why the structure of #2 is used?-- It is a style technique; it depends on how it fits into surrounding text.
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1. When he looked out the window, John saw that it was snowing.
2. Although she is a genius, Mary is very humble.
3. He says that John is about to depart.
John and Mary can refer to 'he' and 'she' respectively In #1 and 2, but John in #3 cannot refer to 'He', right?
2. Although she is a genius, Mary is very humble.
3. He says that John is about to depart.
John and Mary can refer to 'he' and 'she' respectively In #1 and 2, but John in #3 cannot refer to 'He', right?
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He suspects that the players blame the coach.
Can 'he' refer to 'the coach'?
Can 'he' refer to 'the coach'?
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No, not at all to my ear. However, using 'he' without providing the greater context precludes any other choice, doesn't it? That's the disadvantage of analyzing isolated utterances.
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