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Modifiers query...

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Modifiers query...

by gmatrant » Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:26 am
The below query might be a bit mundane, but I would like to have some clarity around it.

The stars come in different shapes, some of them in vibrant colors.

I have a confusion here - the modifier "some of them in vibrant colors" modifies "starts" or "shapes".
Modifies modifies the subject of the sentence or the nearest noun. Is "them" ambiguous?
A kudos or thanks would do great if my answer has helped you :)
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by abcgmat » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:23 pm
Hi

The stars come in different shapes, some of them in vibrant colors.

If we see gramatically: them can refer to stars or shapes
But logically:
'Them' here refers to stars, as we intend to say ' some of the stars in vibrant colours' and not
'some of the shapes in vibrant colors'.

We should not be worried about pronouns as long as we dont have some of the choices with replaced nouns.

E.g. In 2 them is replaced with these stars , since in one of the choices we have replaced pronoun 2 is better. But incase all the five options have 'them' then dont worry about this pronoun and look for some other errors.

1. The stars come in different shapes, some of them in vibrant colors.
2. The stars come in different shapes, some of these stars in vibrant colors.


If you check Ron's videos on Pronoun Ambiguity Mar 31, this would clarify your doubt to a greater extent. I went though his videos and found them useful
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