Homework for a 9 year old.

[AnthonyGerrard]

Underline the pronouns in the following sentence: The male penguin stands with the egg resting on his feet and tucked against his body.

I didnt get it right. Was wondering , how many would.

 

[Galaxiom]

Pronoun stands instead of a noun. Two instances of "his" stand in place of "(the male) penguin".

In this case "his" is a possessive pronoun.

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

Pronoun stands instead of a noun. Two instances of "his" stand in place of "(the male) penguin".

In this case "his" is a possessive pronoun.

I leave it open to see who else agrees. I had forgotten what a pronoun was but dragged it up from somewhere.

 

[Fifty2One]

Indeed "his".
Confusing when learning English because the gender and quantity related in the pronoun does not reflect the objects quantity or gender.

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

The correct answer is that there are no pronouns in that sentence. (not what the teacher was looking for)

"his" can be a pronoun in places- but in the example given its actually an (possessive) adjective, describing the noun. Indeed many of the examples in Galaxioms link are also incorrect adding to the confusion.

For those of us who just speak english maybe not so useful, but I am informed to learn another language , to know the differance then becomes far more useful/necessary.

 

[Galaxiom]

Interesting. I thought "his" were pronouns at first but then I thought they were adjectives so I checked with my wife who is a shool teacher and she assured me they were pronouns.

Do you have a link to an authoritve source?

I would like an example where "his" can be a pronoun under the definition given by the teacher.

Perhaps in "The egg was his.", but in that case wouldn't it still be a possessive adjective with the noun understood?

 

[Dick7Access]

Interesting. I thought "his" were pronouns at first but then I thought they were adjectives so I checked with my wife who is a shool teacher and she assured me they were pronouns.

Do you have a link to an authoritve source?

I would like an example where "his" can be a pronoun under the definition given by the teacher.

Perhaps in "The egg was his.", but in that case wouldn't it still be a possessive adjective with the noun understood?

Just asking???
Is there any difference in english grammar between English speaking countries.?

 

[Brianwarnock]

Surely the difference between a possessive pronoun and a possessive adjective is that the former stands alone whilst the latter can't.

If you take the nouns feet and body out of the sentence it makes no sense.

Brian

 

[Brianwarnock]

Galaxiom

His is indeed a possessive pronoun in
The egg is his
However it becomes a possessive adjective in

The egg is his egg

Because now it is describing the egg.

Brian

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

Interesting. I thought "his" were pronouns at first but then I thought they were adjectives so I checked with my wife who is a shool teacher and she assured me they were pronouns.

Do you have a link to an authoritve source?

I would like an example where "his" can be a pronoun under the definition given by the teacher.

Perhaps in "The egg was his.", but in that case wouldn't it still be a possessive adjective with the noun understood?

Yes as Brian says I think cos the pronoun completely negates the need for the noun at all. Whilst the adjective works with it.

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=define:his

http://www.eslcafe.com/grammar/pronouns02.html

http://www.esldesk.com/grammar/practice/pronoun-adjective

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/poss.htm

 

[RainLover]

Galaxiom

His is indeed a possessive pronoun in
The egg is his
However it becomes a possessive adjective in

The egg is his egg

Because now it is describing the egg.

Brian

Brian,

I am not sure I agree.

The egg is Fred's egg. Fred's is merely showing ownership not a description like soft or cooked. Therefore "The egg is his egg" is not describing the egg it is showing ownership.

 

[Rabbie]

Rainlover, the "his" is describing/defining the egg by showing that it is Fred's egg and not somebody else's. Description in this context is a little more flexible according to my old English teacher.

 

[RainLover]

Rainlover, ______ Description in this context is a little more flexible according to my old English teacher.

What do you mean by this. "Flexible". And how does Flexible act as a Rule on the question.

 

[Brianwarnock]

Brian,

I am not sure I agree.

The egg is Fred's egg. Fred's is merely showing ownership not a description like soft or cooked. Therefore "The egg is his egg" is not describing the egg it is showing ownership.

That's why it is a possessive adjective, it is describing the ownership.

Brian

 

[MSAccessRookie]

While I cannot speak for its authorative value, this Link on the subject seems like it is interesting.

http://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/9780472032419-unit2.pdf

 

[RainLover]

Brian

In post #9 you were describing the egg.

Now in Post # 14 you are describing the ownership.

Which one is it.

As a BTW I am not keen on a lot of these links. I can Google the question myself and find differing opinions. I wonder where we can get the correct answer. Does anyone know an English scholar on the subject.

Where is Col when you need him.

 

[RainLover]

From Dictionary.com

His pronoun
1.the possessive form of he (used as an attributive or predicative adjective): His coat is the brown one. This brown coat is his. Do you mind his speaking first?
2.that or those belonging to him: His was the cleverest remark of all. I borrowed a tie of his.

 

[RainLover]

Looks like this thread is going no where.

The posted links carry no credence. So I am going to have a look at my Oxford when I can find it.

As it stands now, I don't think anyone is convinced either way. Myself included.

 

[Knildon]

Hello to all,

Here's something from the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

1his adjective \(h)iz, hiz\ :
relating to or belonging to a certain man, boy, or male animal
: made or done by a certain man, boy, or male animal
Full Definition of HIS
of or relating to him or himself especially as possessor, agent,
or object of an action <his house> <his writings> <his confirmation>
Examples of HIS
1. He bought his own house.
2. His house is out in the country.
3. He sat quietly at his desk.
4. I would like to read some of his essays.
5. He was jailed for three years for his crime.
6. It's his turn to play.
2his
pronoun, singular or plural in construction \ˈhiz\
Definition of HIS :
that which belongs to him —used without a following noun
as a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective his

Don

 

[Knildon]

Hi again,
I found some examples of the pronoun definition:
1. The red car is his.
2. If you can't find your gloves take his.

Don