老师,您好!
The child smiled when it saw its mother.
这句话里的 its 是做形容词性物主代词,不是做名词性物主代词,对吧。
谢谢。
你的句子中的 its 为形容词性物主代词。its 用作形容词性物主代词和名词性物主代词的区别是:
1. 用作形容词性物主代词时,它后面必须接有被修饰的名词。如:
Beer is at its best when it is cool. 冷啤酒味道最好。
The baby is sucking its thumb. 这婴儿在吸吮拇指。
That place is well-known for its beautiful scenery. 该地方以风景美丽著称。
The verb agrees with its subject in number and person. 动词在数和人称上与主语一致。
Everybody is aware of its importance. 每个人都意识到了它的重要性。
2. 用作名词性物主代词时,它后面不能有被修饰的名词。但实际上 its 用作名词性物主代词的用法很少见,下面两句摘自张道真《现代英语用法词典》:
The cherry tree gives its share of colour to the garden, and the lilac tree gives its. (Eckersley)
History has its lessons and fiction has its. (Eckersley)