A question about an appositive modifier

[JhanasC520]

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[JhanasC520]

Dear Ron,

I saw some similar answer regarding this question from you:

"in general, given a construction NOUN1 + PREPOSITION + NOUN2, a following modifier can usually refer to either NOUN1 or NOUN2.
in general, you're going to need to use the meaning of the sentence to figure out which of those two nouns is the intended referent. in fact, that may be a partial diagnosis of the problem right there -- you may be looking for a purely grammatical rule here, when in fact you have to use context as well. (an exceedingly common problem in SC)"

So can the same rule applied here? Or maybe the usage of an appositive noun here is different.

thanks.

[RonPurewal]

The kind of modifier you're talking about can modify just about anything in the preceding clause.

It can modify just one noun:
Argentine gauchos trapped their prey with a bola, a weapon consisting of several weights tied to the ends of interwoven ropes or cords.

Or an entire sentence (see #86 in OG 13th).

Or just about anything in between.

It's a very flexible modifier—as are most other modifiers.

[RonPurewal]

The quoted text (i.e., modifies either NOUN1 or NOUN1+prep+NOUN2) should be describing modifiers from the following family:

___, which...
___, who/whom/whose...
___, prep+which... (= to which, from which, etc.)
___, prep+whom... (= to whom, with whom, etc.)

Per GMAC's usage, these modifiers shouldn't modify anything other than NOUN or NOUN1+prep+NOUN2.

[JhanasC520]

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[RonPurewal]

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[yangfan0307]

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[RonPurewal]

no more discussion of this problem.

OG is a banned source here.

this extends not only to the text of the problems, but also to discussion of the problems.

• it does not mean "let's just ask about OG problems without quoting them", as that would render the whole prohibition meaningless.

• it also does not mean "let's make superficial changes to the problem and then ask about it".

thanks.