Original sentence: Before spraying their smelly liquid, the skunk dances a warning dance.
Corrected versions:
- Before it sprays its smelly liquid, the skunk does a warning dance.
- Before spraying its smelly liquid, the skunk does a warning dance.
Why we change it:
- Use 'its' (not 'their') because a skunk is one animal. 'Their' means more than one or is used for people. 'Its' belongs to one animal or thing.
- Either 'Before it sprays its...' or 'Before spraying its...' is okay. The first one uses a full subject 'it sprays'; the second uses a shorter form 'spraying'.
- 'Does a warning dance' sounds simpler than 'dances a warning dance.'
Try one yourself: Fix this sentence - The bird hid their egg. (Answer: The bird hid its egg.)