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Kal said
I found this sentence on the web:
"The ideas expressed here are hers own alone."
I would like a second (or even a third) opinion. Should it read
a) "The ideas expressed here are hers alone." or
b) "The ideas expressed here are her own alone."
I am looking forward to reading your comments.
Kal
I like a best, but b seems technically correct as well.
I agree , but let's see why.
Hers alone is short for her ideas alone; the adverb alone is for emphasis (that the ideas are exclusively hers.) It modifies the verb are.
Her own is short for her own ideas; own is similarly for emphasis, but as adjective to noun ideas.
So those are the 2 constructions that make sense.
(And putting own and alone together won't do, because each needs to fit with either her or hers as seen above. If the intention was stronger emphasis, this should do:
The ideas expressed here are hers, and hers alone.
)
Well that doesn't really explain why. Best I can do.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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