Frequently people's stylistic choices have more than one motivation. In
addition to the ones posted, I would add that since the initial
prepositional phrase is serving primarily simply as a "locator"
expression, with the main statement following it (i.e., it's thematic,
but not focused in any particular way), using the full noun as subject
rather than in the prep. phrase places "weight" where it is needed.

Bill Spruiell

-----Original Message-----
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jane Saral
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 1:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Syntax question

So I have a question--

A student wrote the following sentence:

In Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf, he gives warning of the corruption of
the desire for fame.

Can anyone explain why it sounds better to say instead:

In his speech to Beowulf, Hrothgar gives warning of...

I can explain that sometimes the antecedent will follow rather than
precede a pronoun, but that doesn't address why it sounds/is preferable
in this case. 

Jane Saral
Atlanta, GA

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web
interface at:
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/