The correct option to complete the sentence "He did not like .... leaving the class early" is
C. our.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
- Understanding the Sentence Structure:
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The sentence is about someone (he) who has a feeling or opinion regarding the action of leaving the class early. The blank needs to be filled with a word that indicates who is performing the action of leaving.
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Identifying the Role of the Blank:
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The blank is meant to indicate possession or association with the action of leaving the class. We need a word that connects the subject (he) to the action (leaving) in a way that makes sense grammatically and contextually.
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Analyzing the Options:
- A. we: This option is a pronoun that refers to the speaker and others. It does not fit well in the context because it does not indicate possession or association with the action of leaving.
- B. us: This is an object pronoun that refers to the speaker and others as the object of a verb or preposition. Similar to "we," it does not convey possession or a direct connection to the action of leaving.
- C. our: This is a possessive pronoun that indicates that the action of leaving is associated with "us" (the speaker and others). It fits perfectly in the context, suggesting that the action of leaving the class early is something that belongs to or involves "us."
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D. ourselves: This reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject (we) and is used when the subject and object are the same. It does not fit the context of the sentence, as it does not convey the idea of possession or association with the action of leaving.
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Why C is Correct:
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The phrase "our leaving the class early" indicates that the action of leaving is something that involves the group (the speaker and others). It shows that the speaker is referring to a collective experience or action that he does not like.
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Why the Other Options are Incorrect:
- A. we: Incorrect because it does not indicate possession. The sentence would be awkward and unclear.
- B. us: Incorrect for the same reason as "we." It does not show possession and does not fit the grammatical structure needed.
- D. ourselves: Incorrect because it implies a reflexive action, which does not apply here. The sentence does not need to emphasize that the action is being done by the same group.
Revision Summary:
- The correct answer is C. our because it indicates possession and association with the action of leaving.
- "We" and "us" do not convey possession and are therefore unsuitable.
- "Ourselves" is a reflexive pronoun that does not fit the context of the sentence.
- Understanding the role of pronouns in indicating possession is crucial for selecting the correct option.