Problem 5 : Possessive pronouns before -ing forms
Remember that possessive pronouns are used before -ing forms.
The following are possessive pronouns :
my
yourr
her
his
its
our
your
their
Quote:
Structure : S + V ph / V + pronoun (possessive) + -ing form
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Quote:
Expression : We can count on her helping us OR He regretted their misunderstanding him
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Avoid using subject or object pronouns between the verb and the -ing form
Examples :
Incorrect : We don`t understand why you object to him coming with us
Correct : We don`t understand why you object to his coming with us
Incorrect : He is suprised by you having to pay for the accident
Correct : He is suprised by your having to pay for the accident
Problem 6 : Possessive pronouns before parts of the body
Remember that possessive pronouns are used before nouns that identify a part of the body
Quote:
Structure : pronoun (possessive) + noun (part of body)
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Quote:
Expression : He hurt his arm
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Avoid using the other forms of pronoun instead of a possessive pronoun.
Examples :
Incorrect : How did you twist the ankle ?
Correct : How did you twist your ankle ?
Incorrect : Does Alice color the hair ?
Correct : Does Alice color her hair ?
Problem 7 : Relative pronouns that advert persons and things
Remember that who is used to refer to persons , and which is used to refer to things.
Quote:
Structure : Someone + who
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Quote:
Expression : She is the secretary who works in the international office
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Avoid using which instead of who in reference to a person
Quote:
Structure : Something + Which
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Quote:
Expression : This is the new typewriter which you ordered
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Avoid using who instead of which in reference of a thing
Examples :
Incorrect : The student which receives the highest score will be awarded a scholarship
Correct : The student who receives the highest score will be awarded a scholarship
Incorrect : Who is the man which asked the question ?
Correct : Who is the man who asked the question ?
Problem 8 : Relative pronouns that refer to persons
Remember that both who and whom are used to refer to persons. Who is used as the subject of a sentence or a clause. Whom is used as the complement of a sentence or a clause. Whom is often used after a preposition as the object of the preposition.
Quote:
Expression : Everyone who took the tour was impressed by the paintings
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Avoid using whom as the subject of a verb
Quote:
Expression : He was the only Pakistani whom I saw at the conference.
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Avoid using who instead of whom before a subject and a verb.
Examples :
Incorrect : I asked him who he was calling
Correct : I asked him whom he was calling
Incorrect : I know the candidate whom was elected.
Correct : I know the candidate who was elected.
Problem 9 : Reflexive pronouns
Remember that reflexive pronouns may be used when both the subject and the complement refer to the same person or thing. Reflexive pronouns are used as the complement of a sentence or a clause or as the object of a preposition.
Quote:
Structure : S + V + pronoun (reflexive)
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Quote:
Expression : Some language learners can correct themselves
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Avoid using object pronouns or possessive pronouns instead of reflexive pronouns.
Examples :
Incorrect : Be careful or you will hurt to you
Correct : Be careful or you will hurt yourself
Incorrect : I had to teach me to swim
Correct : I had to teach myself to swim.
Problem 10 : Reciprocal pronouns
Remember that the reciprocal pronoun phrase each other may be used when the plural subject and complement refer to the same persons or things, and they are performing a reciprocal (mutual) act.
Quote:
Structure : S + V + pronoun (reciprocal)
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Quote:
Expression : His sister and he visits each other about once a week
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Remember that each other is used to express mutual acts for all persons. one another is also correct .
Examples :
Incorrect : Family members love to each other
Correct : Family members love each other
Incorrect : They will never find each another at this crowded airport.
Correct : They will never find each other at this crowded airport.