Spacecraft, Pronouns and Grammar

The classic film Star Wars: A New Hope has a very famous scene. Actors Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford¹ say the following words:

What a piece of junk!

She'll make .5 past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications³ myself.

In today's Everyday Grammar, we will explore the grammar behind these famous words.

Specifically, you will learn how English speakers sometimes use different pronouns when talking about inanimate objects.

But first, let's explore some important terms.

Inanimate objects and pronouns

Animate⁴ means alive – particularly in the way that humans or animals are.

The term inanimate object means an object that is not alive, such as a rock, a chair, or a spacecraft.

English speakers generally use the pronoun it to talk about an object or substance, as in:

He saw the guitar and immediately decided⁵ to buy it.

English speakers also use it to talk about a living thing whose sex is unknown, as in:

Someone is at the door.

I don't know who it is.

But notice how Harrison Ford used the pronoun she to talk about his spacecraft – an inanimate object.

She'll make .5 past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid.

Unusual case

In an unusual turn of events, English speakers sometimes use other pronouns to talk about inanimate objects – usually with the pronoun she.

To be clear: this use is not very common. Still, you might hear she when people are talking about objects that are very close to them. For example, it could be an object that a person has worked on or been with for many years.

Often, these objects will be large and used for transportation - cars, ships, boats, and yes, even spacecraft. It would sound strange to talk about a smaller, simpler object with the pronoun she. For example, it would be hard to imagine a speaker of American English using she to talk about a nail or a flower pot.

Different kinds of English

Speakers of different kinds of English refer to inanimate objects in slightly different ways. In a paper on New Zealand English, Laurie Bauer notes that she is used to talk about inanimate objects – particularly if the object is "a ship, car, or other piece of much-loved machinery⁶."

But, Bauer adds, speakers of New Zealand English use she to refer to objects in a way that is different from other kinds of English. One example Bauer gives is "she's a good crash-helmet," a statement made in an everyday discussion.

Bauer notes that this use also sometimes appears in Australian English. He is careful to add that some kinds of Australian English also use he with a similar meaning.

Closing thoughts

The good news for you is this: you do not need to use the pronoun she in the way that we have discussed today.

When you are speaking, you should use the pronoun it when you talk about inanimate objects. This will help you avoid any confusing situations.

But understanding how some English speakers use different pronouns can be useful to you – particularly if you are listening to everyday discussions or watching films.

The next time you are watching American films – and particularly films about spacecraft, cars, boats, or ships – pay careful attention to the pronouns that the speakers use when they talk about inanimate objects.

Over time, you will develop a stronger understanding of the small details in meaning that different pronouns can give.

Words in This Story

scene – n. a part of a play, movie, story, etc., in which a particular action or activity occurs

junk – n. something that is in very poor condition

modification² – n. the act or process of changing parts of something : the act or process of modifying something

nail – n. a long, thin piece of metal that is sharp at one end and flat at the other end and that is used chiefly to attach things to wood

pot – n. a container that is used for storing or holding something

helmet – n. a very strong, hard hat that is worn to protect your head when you are riding a bicycle, motorcycle, etc.

1 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

2 modification   

n.修改，改进，缓和，减轻

参考例句：

• The law,in its present form,is unjust;it needs modification.现行的法律是不公正的，它需要修改。
• The design requires considerable modification.这个设计需要作大的修改。

3 modifications   

n.缓和( modification的名词复数 )；限制；更改；改变

参考例句：

• The engine was pulled apart for modifications and then reassembled. 发动机被拆开改型，然后再组装起来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The original plan had undergone fairly extensive modifications. 原计划已经作了相当大的修改。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 animate   

v.赋于生命，鼓励；adj.有生命的，有生气的

参考例句：

• We are animate beings,living creatures.我们是有生命的存在，有生命的动物。
• The girls watched,little teasing smiles animating their faces.女孩们注视着，脸上挂着调皮的微笑，显得愈加活泼。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。