Page 81 - EALC C306/505

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Grammar and Notes

8.1 Shifting antecedents

When we encounter an object-pronoun such as zhi 之, which generally refers to an
antecedent noun, context will usually make clear which possible antecedent is appropriate.
Authors expect that readers will identify these antecedents on the basis of obvious
meaning, rather than on the basis of consistency; therefore, they frequently allow the
referents of 之 to shift in a fluid way. In the consecutive sentences:

狄人侵之事之以皮幣

the two 之, though in adjacent “Verb + 之” phrases, denote very different objects. It is
easy to assume that because of their proximity and apparent parallel form they are
identical.

8.2 The particle yan 焉

Although yan 焉 is generally referred to as a particle, it is actually a fusion of a
preposition and a pronoun and therefore carries substantive meaning, as opposed to
sentence terminating particles like yĕ 也, yǐ 矣, or hu 乎. The best tactic for dealing with
焉 initially is to break it into its component parts whenever it is encountered at a sentence
end.

It is also important to be clear that 焉 in the middle of a phrase is not a fusion word. It is
an entirely different word, close to the meaning of the interrogative an 安. It is probably
correct to analyze this meaning of 焉 as the functional equivalent of yú hé chù 於何處:
“in what place,” or “in what respect?” [chù 處: (N) a place]

8.3 On the phrase: 君子不以其所以養人者害人

This complex sentence can be diagramed as follows:

君子 不 以 其 所 以 養 人 者 害 人
|____| |___| |________________| |___| |___|
S CV  O V  O
(coverb) (noun object)

As always, the 以 in 所以 could potentially mean either “by means of” or “on account
of.” Here, “by means of” is the only coherent option.