Ads 468x60px

Pages

Who/Whom/Which/What - Uses - Interrogative - Pronouns - Parts Of Speech-ESL/Learn English Grammar

|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28|29|30|31|



INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS


[Sidenote: _Three now in use._]


97. The interrogative pronouns now in use are _who_ (with the forms

_whose_ and _whom_), _which_, and _what_.


[Sidenote: _One obsolete._]


There is an old word, _whether_, used formerly to mean which of two,

but now obsolete. Examples from the Bible:--


_Whether_ of them twain did the will of his father?


_Whether_ is greater, the gold, or the temple?


From Steele (eighteenth century):--


It may be a question _whether_ of these unfortunate persons had

the greater soul.



[Sidenote: _Use of_ who _and its forms._]


98. The use of _who_, with its possessive and objective, is seen in

these sentences:--


_Who_ is she in bloody coronation robes from Rheims?--DE QUINCEY.


_Whose_ was that gentle voice, that, whispering sweet,

Promised, methought, long days of bliss sincere?--BOWLES.


What doth she look on? _Whom_ doth she behold?--WORDSWORTH.


From these sentences it will be seen that interrogative _who_ refers

to _persons only_; that it is not inflected for gender or number, but

for case alone, having three forms; it is always third person, as it

always asks _about_ somebody.



[Sidenote: _Use of_ which.]


99. Examples of the use of interrogative _which_:--


_Which_ of these had speed enough to sweep between the question

and the answer, and divide the one from the other?--DE QUINCEY.


_Which_ of you, shall we say, doth love us most?--SHAKESPEARE.


_Which_ of them [the sisters] shall I take?--_Id._


As shown here, _which_ is not inflected for gender, number, or case;

it refers to either persons or things; it is selective, that is, picks

out one or more from a number of known persons or objects.



[Sidenote: _Use of_ what.]


100. Sentences showing the use of interrogative _what_:--


Since I from Smaylho'me tower have been,

_What_ did thy lady do?--SCOTT.


_What_ is so rare as a day in June?--LOWELL.


_What_ wouldst thou do, old man?--SHAKESPEARE.


These show that _what_ is not inflected for case; that it is always

singular and neuter, referring to things, ideas, actions, etc., not to

persons.







|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28|29|30|31|

0 comments:


Hello Friends ! Please send your requests,comments,suggestions to improve this blog.
Learn English Grammar & Usage; Are U Anxious To Know The Science & Tech News; Where Are You ? Know The Changes; Health:News N Tips
Word of the Day

self-assured discuss

Definition:(adjective) Showing poise and confidence in your own worth.
Synonyms:self-confident
Usage:He's a self-assured negotiator, and his confidence helps him make sales that no one else can.
Article of the Day

Silverpit Crater

Discovered under the North Sea off the coast of the UK during an analysis of seismic data collected during oil exploration, the Silverpit crater may have been formed as much as 74 million years ago, perhaps when a large projectile impacted Earth's surface. Though the crater bears features similar to those of the impact crater Valhalla found on Jupiter's moon Callisto, many scientists question whether such a collision created Silverpit. What other theories about its origin have been proposed? More... Discuss

This Day in History

Pablo Escobar Escapes from His Luxury Prison (1992)

By 1989, Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was one of the world's richest men. At the height of his success, his Medellín cartel controlled 80% of the global cocaine market. Even after he was incarcerated, he continued to conduct business from the resort-like Colombian prison that had been built to his specifications. In 1992, in an effort to avoid extradition to the US, Escobar escaped. He was killed by police 16 months later. His intimidation tactic of plata o plomo translates to what? More... Discuss
Today's Birthday

Edward Hopper (1882)

Hopper was an American painter who supported himself as a commercial illustrator until he gained recognition in the mid-1920s with his now-iconic scenes of American life. His dramatically lit works often feature still, anonymous figures inside geometric buildings and evoke a haunting sense of isolation that was his hallmark. His famous Nighthawks depicts a mostly empty, brightly lit diner on an otherwise dark, desolate street at night. What was said to be Hopper's favorite thing to paint? More... Discuss

In the News

Quote of the Day
There are so many unpleasant things in the world already that there is no use in imagining any more.
Lucy Maud Montgomery
(1874-1942)
Discuss

Spelling Bee
difficulty level:
score: -
n. A military unit consisting of a variable number of combat battalions or regiments
 
spell the word:
Match Up
Select word:










Match each word in the left column with its synonym on the right. When finished, click Answer to see the results. Good luck!