Suggested answer for Exercise 3

In English, reflexive pronouns must have an antecedent, i.e. a DP that has got the same reference, within the clause they occur. On the other hand, this is not true for personal pronouns: there cannot be an antecedent within the same clause (or DP), however, there is an antecedent outside the clause (or outside the DP). Whenever there are more than one possible antecedent for a pronoun (either for a reflexive or for a personal pronoun), the sentence becomes ambiguous: there are at least two ways of interpretation for the pronoun, thus, for the whole sentence.

a

he = John or he = another male

He is a personal pronoun therefore it does not have an antecedent within the clause [that he would never kiss Jenny]. However, there is a possible antecedent (John) in the previous clause [John said], since he requires a singular male referent, and John fulfils these criteria. On the other hand, he can refer to another male, who is not present in this sentence but has previously been mentioned during the discourse.

b

himself = Jonathan

Himself is a reflexive, that is, it must have an antecedent within the same clause [that Jonathan hates himself]. The antecedent must be male and singular, thus, Jonathan is the only available DP that functions as its antecedent.

c

them = Mary and Fanny or them = other people

Them is a personal pronoun therefore there is no need for an antecedent within the clause [Jack and Bob were making dinner for them]. There is a possible antecedent (Mary and Fanny) in the subordinate clause [while Mary and Fanny were sleeping], since them requires a plural referent, and Mary and Fanny refers to two people. However, them can have other, previously mentioned people as its antecedent, who are not mentioned in this sentence.

d

themselves = Jack and Bob

Themselves is a reflexive, that is, it must have an antecedent within the clause [Jack and Bob were making dinner for themselves]. The antecedent of themselves must be plural, thus, the only possible DP is Jack and Bob.

e

she = Edith or she = Sarah or she = another female

She is a personal pronoun referring to a singular female person. Since it is a personal pronoun, it does not have an antecedent within the clause [that she would never be able to live alone]. Nevertheless, outside the clause there are two possible antecedents: both Edith and Sarah are singular and female. What is more, we should not forget the possibility that the antecedent of she is not mentioned in this piece of discourse, that is, she refers to a third female person. Thus, the sentence is ambiguous: we cannot decide whether she refers to Sarah or Edith or another female.

f

he = Harry or he = another male

He is a personal pronoun referring to a singular male person It does not have an antecedent within the clause [he always gets angry], however, Harry is an available antecedent in the previous clause because it refers to a male person. On the other hand, the possibility for referring to another male not mentioned in this sentence should not be neglected.

g

her = Mrs Green or her = another female

Her is a pronoun therefore it can have an antecedent outside its clause or, in the case of her neighbour, outside its DP. Mrs Green has the properties of being female and singular, so it can be an antecedent for her. On the other hand, the antecedent of a pronoun may not be spelled out in the same sentence or DP, thus, her can have another female antecedent that has been mentioned earlier in the discourse.

his = neighbour or his = another male

His is a pronoun, therefore it cannot have an antecedent within the DP it occurs. Outside the DP, her neighbour is a possible antecedent for his, since his requires a singular male antecedent and her neighbour is singular and is not marked for gender, that is, it can be interpreted as male. However, it can be that his refers to another male not present in this sentence.

he = neighbour or he = another male

He is a personal pronoun referring to a singular male person. It does not have an antecedent within the clause [while he would be away], however, her neighbour is a possible antecedent in the previous clause because it can refer to a male person as discussed above. On the other hand, the possibility for referring to another male not mentioned in this sentence must be also mentioned here.