question for grammar gurus

[Anonymous]

Is the following grammatically correct [I've changed some of the important elements (test species, test substance etc.) for privacy]? I am concerned that the "their" doesn't clearly refer back to the cadmium particles...TIA!

"Distribution of cadmium particles in guinea pigs and their potential impact on bone strength"

[Anonymous]

It's grammatically correct and I think it's clear that you're referring to the particles and not the pigs. If you want to be absolutely sure that it's clear, you could say, "Distribution of cadmium particles in guinea pigs and the potential impact of the particles on bone strength" or something like that.

[Anonymous]

Move "in guinea pigs" to the end of the sentence.

[Anonymous]

Whatever the grammar police may decide, as an average reader, I would wonder if the impact was made by the particles or the guinea pigs. I like the choice of guinea pigs.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The subject here is distribution. "of cadium particles" and "in guinea pigs" are both prepositional phrases. I think the correct word choice is "its," not "their."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The subject here is distribution. "of cadium particles" and "in guinea pigs" are both prepositional phrases. I think the correct word choice is "its," not "their."

Ahhhh...I hadn't looked at it in that way, and now I think that seems right. Do others agree?

--OP

[Anonymous]

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Its is correct. "In guinea pigs" should be moved to the end of the sentence.

The distribution of cadmium particles and its potential impact on bone strength in guinea pigs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The subject here is distribution. "of cadium particles" and "in guinea pigs" are both prepositional phrases. I think the correct word choice is "its," not "their."

Ahhhh...I hadn't looked at it in that way, and now I think that seems right. Do others agree?

--OP

Depends what is making the impact - the way the distribution happens? Or are the particles themselves making the impact?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the following grammatically correct [I've changed some of the important elements (test species, test substance etc.) for privacy]? I am concerned that the "their" doesn't clearly refer back to the cadmium particles...TIA!

"Distribution of cadmium particles in guinea pigs and their potential impact on bone strength"

Distribution of cadmium particles and potential impact on bone strength in guinea pigs.

[Anonymous]

I truly find it odd when people come on here and answer these questions when they clearly are not grammarians. The PP who pointed out that "their" is plural and the subject of the sentence is right and that was a glaring error that anyone who came on here to look at this should have noticed. If you are not actually a writer/editor/grammar snob, don't answer these inquiries. I am not the OP.

[Anonymous]

subject of the sentence *is singular* ^^

[Anonymous]

Well, isn't that the beauty of the English language? Whoever wants to be a grammar snob, or considers herself a grammar snob, or has pretensions about being a grammar snob, is a grammar snob.

Clearly you're a superior grammar snob, but we're all grammar snobs in our own fashion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The subject here is distribution. "of cadium particles" and "in guinea pigs" are both prepositional phrases. I think the correct word choice is "its," not "their."

Ahhhh...I hadn't looked at it in that way, and now I think that seems right. Do others agree?

--OP

Depends what is making the impact - the way the distribution happens? Or are the particles themselves making the impact?

+1