Re: Please help judge these sentences


<bcyyang@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1135226544.881376.95640@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hi, I am a linguistic student working on my term paper. I need native
> speakers to help judge the following sentences:
>
> (1) Bill wonders which picture of himself John didn't like? ( Can
> "himself" refer to John?)

It could, but not without context. This sentence alone, as it stands, would
suggest that "himself" refers to Bill, as Bill is the only "him" we've
encountered by the time we get to "himself."

John looked at two pictures of himself, picked out his favorite, and threw
the other one away. Bill, the photographer, wondered which picture of
himself John didn't like. He would soon find out, for it was garbage day.

Also, unless you're deliberately writing in the present tense for Bill, you
might want to consider using "wondered."

In the format of this sentence, a period would be appropriate. Even though
Bill is wondering, this sentence is a statement that he is wondering, not a
question.

> (2) Who doesn't believe which claim that Bill hit anyone? (Is this
> sentence good or not?)

Here are a couple of tests:

Has disbelief been established?
Are there multiple and varying claims that Bill hit someone?
Is there evidence that some claims are believed and some aren't?

I'm guessing that you meant, "Who doesn't believe the claim that Bill hit
someone."



> (3) Who think Mary was not looking at which picture of himself? (Can
> "himself" refer to "Who"?)

"Who thinks..." would be appropriate, as opposed to "Who think..."

Try:
Who thinks Mary wasn't looking at his picture?

What, may I ask, is the context of this sentence? Is there a room full of
guys who've each given Mary one of their pictures? Is Mary only looking at
certain pictures? Is this a reality show?

>
> Can anyone help?

Perfect.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Please help judge these sentences
    ... > Bill wonders which picture of himself John didn't like? ... "Himself" is referring to Bill, ... > Who doesn't believe which claim that Bill hit anyone? ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Please help judge these sentences
    ... speakers to help judge the following sentences: ... Bill wonders which picture of himself John didn't like? ... Who think Mary was not looking at which picture of himself? ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: Bills picture of himself?
    ... }> John likes Bill's picture of himself. ... }> refer to Bill. ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: Bills picture of himself?
    ... }> John likes Bill's picture of himself. ... I know it can refer to ... } and it is of himself, i.e., Bill, whether Bill took it or someone else took ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: Costa Rica Amigo "GCA"
    ... In April of 2001 and in earlier months, Bill Nirdlinger ... John Martino and Marty Carson were all in Costa Rica. ... John Martino was there to help and to deal cards. ...
    (rec.gambling.poker)
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