This question is from the show Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader:
How many possessive pronouns are there in the sentence:
"John asked Mary if he could borrow her bike because his had a flat tire."
I believe the answer given as correct in the show was wrong. What do you think? Please, don't just give a number, say why you think there's an X number of possessive pronouns. Thanks.
2007-07-03 04:23:28 · 8 answers · asked by B52287 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Make sure you read the question correctly: not possessive adjectives AND pronouns, or how many pronouns in general, but how many possessive pronouns ONLY. True, "he" is not a possessive, but are the other 2 both pronouns?
2007-07-03 04:34:14 · update #1
Actually, I see one pronoun only - "her" referred to "her bike" is a possessive adjective because it's followed by a noun, so the only pronoun is "his" because it stands in place of the noun "bike" (or "his bike").
My = adjective, but Mine = pronoun
Your = adjective, but Yours = pronoun, etc...
2007-07-03 08:45:19 · answer #1 · answered by Marco S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, there are three pronouns in the sentance. He, Her, and His. The latter two are possessive. In the case "Her bike", it's clear that her is taking ownership of bike. In the case of "his", we assume his is taking ownership of his bike, but in the English language, we omit "bike" from the phrase, because it's redundant. It's left implied that it's his bike. He, the last pronoun, is just that, a simple pronoun used to replace the name John.
2007-07-03 04:29:20 · answer #2 · answered by Kyrre 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
two "her" and "his"
"her" is showing possession of the bike
"his" is implying possession of a different bike
(btw he is a pronoun but not possessive)
here is some more info
Possessive Pronouns
Certain pronouns called possessive pronouns show ownership. Some are used alone; some describe a noun.
Used alone: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs, whose
Correct: That computer is hers.
Modify noun: my, your, his, her, its, our, their, whose
Correct: That is her computer.
Please note that none of the possessive pronouns are spelled with an apostrophe. See Apostrophes with Pronouns for more on this.
Possessive Pronouns with Gerunds
Possessive pronouns are used to describe gerunds. Using the objective case confuses the reader.
Incorrect: You winning in spite of the odds inspired us all.
(Ambiguous and awkward. Do you inspire or does the winning inspire?)
Correct: Your winning in spite of the odds inspired us all.
Incorrect: We could not stand him whining about everything.
(Which could you not stand? Him? or His whining?)
Because of the possible confusion, use possessive pronouns with gerunds.
Correct: We could not stand his whining about everything.
2007-07-03 04:26:42 · answer #3 · answered by Navidad_98 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I understand your point but "her bike" and "his (bike understood) are both examples of possessive pronouns even though they may also be performing roles of adjectives, too.
.
2007-07-09 00:46:22 · answer #4 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only one - his.
he is a pronoun, but not possesive. Her in this sentence is an adjective.
2007-07-08 14:47:17 · answer #5 · answered by boyplakwatsa.com 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2 --her and his. "he" is not possessive. Possessive pronouns show ownership. other possessives- my, their, its.
2007-07-03 04:27:14 · answer #6 · answered by hottiecj *~♥~*~♥~* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HER
HIS
Her and his are making possession of respective items known, her bike (it belongs to her) and his (it belongs to him)
2007-07-03 04:29:47 · answer #7 · answered by Michelle H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2. HER bike, HIS flat tire
2007-07-08 15:36:44 · answer #8 · answered by Pryva D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋