home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Software USA 5 #5
/
Software USA Volume 5.05.iso
/
pc
/
educate
/
editor
/
run
/
c
/
items
/
data
/
c4a1bz2.htf
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1997-01-20
|
2KB
|
350 lines
C4A1bz2
Noun with Plural Possessive Pronoun
9
0
13
1
Plural possessive pronouns used in a collective sense are
13
1
followed by singular nouns; plural possessive pronouns used in
13
1
a plural sense are followed by plural nouns.
13
1
Collective:
3
0
15
0
My neighbors brought
6
0
their dog
8
0
.
6
0
13
1
(more than one person, one dog)
7
0
15
0
13
1
Plural:
3
0
15
0
The children brought
6
0
their dogs
8
0
.
6
0
13
1
(more than one child, more than one dog)
7
0
15
0
13
1
17
0
13
1
Collective:
3
0
15
0
We pushed
6
0
our car
8
0
to get it started.
6
0
13
1
(more than one person, one car)
7
0
15
0
13
1
Plural:
3
0
15
0
We moved
6
0
our chairs
8
0
closer to the fire.
6
0
13
1
(more than one person, more than one chair)
7
0
15
0
13
1
17
0
13
1
When the noun following a plural possessive pronoun
13
1
represents something abstract or figurative, the noun is
13
1
frequently singular even when the pronoun is meant to have
13
1
a plural sense.
13
1
Concrete noun:
3
0
15
0
The council members took
6
0
their seats
8
0
.
6
0
15
0
13
1
Abstract noun:
3
0
15
0
The council members maintained
6
0
their
8
1
dignity
8
0
during the proceedings.
6
0
15
0
13
1
17
0
13
1
Concrete noun:
3
0
15
0
The skaters laced
6
0
their skates
8
0
.
6
0
15
0
13
1
Figurative noun:
3
0
15
0
The skaters waited for
6
0
their moment
8
0
on
6
0
13
1
the ice.
7
0
15
0
13
1
17
0
13
1
Note:
2
0
The growing trend of using
13
0
their
8
0
to mean
13
0
his
8
0
or
13
0
her
8
0
13
1
has served to add confusion to the rules of agreement in
13
1
number. When
13
0
their
8
0
is used incorrectly to mean
13
0
his
8
0
or
13
0
her
8
0
, it
13
1
is frequently followed by a singular noun, as in the example
13
1
below.
13
1
A teacher is responsible for
6
0
their classroom
8
0
.
6
0
13
1
We hear the construction above more frequently in
13
1
conversation than the use of
13
0
their
8
0
as a plural possessive.
13
1
This leads the ear to expect
13
0
their
8
0
to be followed by a
13
1
singular noun.
13
1
13
1
13
1
