What is a relative pronoun's referent when it follows a prepositional phrase?
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For example:
Stella Adler trained several generations of actors who include Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Does who in this example refer to actors or generations?
Stella Adler trained several generations of actors whose ranks include Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Does who in this example refer to actors or generations?
relative-clauses prepositional-phrases relative-pronouns
asked 2 hours ago
johnnyodonnell
113
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For example:
Stella Adler trained several generations of actors who include Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Does who in this example refer to actors or generations?
Stella Adler trained several generations of actors whose ranks include Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Does who in this example refer to actors or generations?
relative-clauses prepositional-phrases relative-pronouns
asked 2 hours ago
johnnyodonnell
113
In both sentences, it's ambiguous -- the relative can refer to either prior noun phrase. This is what is known in the trade as an "attachment ambiguity" -- it tends to happen at the end of a sentence, when there are a lot of qualifications, one after another.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
However, the ambiguity is rather resolved in the first case by the choice of relative who which refers only to people (or, at least, sentient beings). In the second case, whose is not restricted to people, so it might attach to either.
– Colin Fine
1 hour ago
Interesting! Thanks @JohnLawler
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
Ahh good point! @ColinFine
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
For example:
Stella Adler trained several generations of actors who include Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Does who in this example refer to actors or generations?
Stella Adler trained several generations of actors whose ranks include Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Does who in this example refer to actors or generations?
relative-clauses prepositional-phrases relative-pronouns
asked 2 hours ago
johnnyodonnell
113
For example:
Stella Adler trained several generations of actors who include Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Does who in this example refer to actors or generations?
Stella Adler trained several generations of actors whose ranks include Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Does who in this example refer to actors or generations?
relative-clauses prepositional-phrases relative-pronouns
relative-clauses prepositional-phrases relative-pronouns
asked 2 hours ago
johnnyodonnell
113
asked 2 hours ago
johnnyodonnell
113
asked 2 hours ago
johnnyodonnell
113
asked 2 hours ago
johnnyodonnell
113
asked 2 hours ago
johnnyodonnell
113
113
In both sentences, it's ambiguous -- the relative can refer to either prior noun phrase. This is what is known in the trade as an "attachment ambiguity" -- it tends to happen at the end of a sentence, when there are a lot of qualifications, one after another.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
However, the ambiguity is rather resolved in the first case by the choice of relative who which refers only to people (or, at least, sentient beings). In the second case, whose is not restricted to people, so it might attach to either.
– Colin Fine
1 hour ago
Interesting! Thanks @JohnLawler
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
Ahh good point! @ColinFine
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
add a comment |
In both sentences, it's ambiguous -- the relative can refer to either prior noun phrase. This is what is known in the trade as an "attachment ambiguity" -- it tends to happen at the end of a sentence, when there are a lot of qualifications, one after another.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
However, the ambiguity is rather resolved in the first case by the choice of relative who which refers only to people (or, at least, sentient beings). In the second case, whose is not restricted to people, so it might attach to either.
– Colin Fine
1 hour ago
Interesting! Thanks @JohnLawler
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
Ahh good point! @ColinFine
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
In both sentences, it's ambiguous -- the relative can refer to either prior noun phrase. This is what is known in the trade as an "attachment ambiguity" -- it tends to happen at the end of a sentence, when there are a lot of qualifications, one after another.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
In both sentences, it's ambiguous -- the relative can refer to either prior noun phrase. This is what is known in the trade as an "attachment ambiguity" -- it tends to happen at the end of a sentence, when there are a lot of qualifications, one after another.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
However, the ambiguity is rather resolved in the first case by the choice of relative who which refers only to people (or, at least, sentient beings). In the second case, whose is not restricted to people, so it might attach to either.
– Colin Fine
1 hour ago
However, the ambiguity is rather resolved in the first case by the choice of relative who which refers only to people (or, at least, sentient beings). In the second case, whose is not restricted to people, so it might attach to either.
– Colin Fine
1 hour ago
Interesting! Thanks @JohnLawler
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
Interesting! Thanks @JohnLawler
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
Ahh good point! @ColinFine
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
Ahh good point! @ColinFine
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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In both sentences, it's ambiguous -- the relative can refer to either prior noun phrase. This is what is known in the trade as an "attachment ambiguity" -- it tends to happen at the end of a sentence, when there are a lot of qualifications, one after another.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
However, the ambiguity is rather resolved in the first case by the choice of relative who which refers only to people (or, at least, sentient beings). In the second case, whose is not restricted to people, so it might attach to either.
– Colin Fine
1 hour ago
Interesting! Thanks @JohnLawler
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago
Ahh good point! @ColinFine
– johnnyodonnell
1 hour ago