The subject does seem ambiguous at first glance, but I think it is "who"
because of the word "but."  "Who" is the subject of "does follow," so
"but thinks" seems to rely on the previous verb.  In other words, you
wouldn't say "a true thinker but thinks on his own," and you wouldn't
say "a true thinker is someone but thinks on his own."

Jeanne Rodgers

-----Original Message-----
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Edward Vavra
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 9:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Question on clause structure

    Would some of you please give me your opinions on the clause
structure of the following sentence:

"The essays show that a true thinker is someone who does not follow the
other thinkers, but thinks with his own mind."

My primary question involves what you see as the subject of "thinks."
To me, it appears ambiguous.
Thanks, (and, no, this is not a trick question.)
Ed V.

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