Possessive Cases

[KnowledgeSeeker]

I got this from one of the other discussion forums that's locked for commenting.

Q: Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like nonfiction books, seems to be on the rise.

A. like nonfiction books
B. as nonfiction books
C. as its interest in nonfiction books
D. like their interest in nonfiction books
E. like its interest in nonfiction books

Based on the Like Vs As rule, answer option E is the best fit i.e

"Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like its interest in nonfiction books , seems to be on the rise."

However, does this sentence not violate the possessive antecedent princpal? What does "its" refer to here?

[soumya2022]

I got this from one of the other discussion forums that's locked for commenting.

Q: Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like nonfiction books, seems to be on the rise.

A. like nonfiction books
B. as nonfiction books
C. as its interest in nonfiction books
D. like their interest in nonfiction books
E. like its interest in nonfiction books

Based on the Like Vs As rule, answer option E is the best fit i.e

"Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like its interest in nonfiction books , seems to be on the rise."

However, does this sentence not violate the possessive antecedent princpal? What does "its" refer to here?

Hi,

Since books, tickets and films are all plural, it is evident that "its" refers to the public.

regards
Soumya

[RonPurewal]

However, does this sentence not violate the possessive antecedent princpal? What does "its" refer to here?

You must be using a superannuated edition of our books.

The "possessive antecedent rule" is, at best, useless garbage. At worst it will cause you to get problems wrong (as it did here!).

Don't bother with it.

It has been the basis of zero official problems, ever.

If you care to read about this, read here:
post46683.html#p46683

[KnowledgeSeeker]

Thanks for helping out Ron. Much appreciated.

The rule is mentioned (in bold!) in quite a recent version of Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction Guide (Pronoun Strategy) and I must admit, its throwing me off-balance!!

[RonPurewal]

Thanks for helping out Ron. Much appreciated.

The rule is mentioned (in bold!) in quite a recent version of Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction Guide (Pronoun Strategy) and I must admit, its throwing me off-balance!!

What is "a quite recent version"? Edition number?
Thanks.

[RonPurewal]

I looked in my 5th edition book. It has been removed (or else I'm blind).

You thus have an edition that's not "quite recent" at all. (The fourth edition is something like 5-6 years old at this point.)