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Deepcosmos Posted 4 years ago
Grammar

‘who are genetically similar to [them / themselves]’

Hello, everyone,

"In 2014, a scientific study in the United States found that people tend to choose friends who are genetically similar to [them / themselves]."

When searching Google for a suitable choice, I've found interestingly two different results with very similar pattern written by natives as follows;

1. "Finally, there is evidence that people choose friends who are genetically similar to them, and . . . " in the p.154 of 'Close Relationships: Key Readings'.

* source;

https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=or15AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&dq=%22choose+friends+who+are+genetically+similar+to+them%22&source=bl&ots=R6szQLtJMJ&sig=ACfU3U0N7hOL0YKbIKOS02FYgfgDycOZ0Q&hl=ko&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX39SEq6P7AhXYad4KHdaVCH4Q6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=%22choose%20friends%20who%20are%20genetically%20similar%20to%20them%22&f=false

2. "A study published on July 14, 2014, showed that people are apt to choose friends who are genetically similar to themselves - so much so that friends tend to be as alike at the genetic level as a person's fourth cousin." in the 'International Business Times'.

* source; https://www.ibtimes.com.au/friends-are-genetically-compatible-family-1347329

While I think 'them' would be suitable, since in my original sentence in question 1) the object isn't co-referent with the subject of the verb, and also 2) 'similar to ~ ' isn't an adjunct prepositional phrase to describes the place, how the natives made two different choices?

I would appreciate it, if you share your valuable opinions.

  

Top answer

deepcosmos how the natives made two different choices? "Them" was chosen by the professional copyeditors at Taylor & Francis. "Themselves" was chosen by a harried journalist or his equally harried editor.

— Anonymous

  • deepcosmos how the natives made two different choices?
  • "Them" was chosen by the professional copyeditors at Taylor & Francis.
  • "Themselves" was chosen by a harried journalist or his equally harried editor.
  • It's "them".
  • There is no justification for the reflexive.
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2 Answers
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deepcosmoshow the natives made two different choices?

"Them" was chosen by the professional copyeditors at Taylor & Francis. "Themselves" was chosen by a harried journalist or his equally harried editor. It's "them". There is no justification for the reflexive. That's my valuable opinion.

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deepcosmoshow the natives made how did the natives make two different choices?

Just the luck of the draw. Some people are more careful than others about such things. 'them' is the correct choice, as you say.

CJ

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