Jumping modifier

[DiJ92]

Dear ron,

there is a sentence: on the stage is Professor Y, along with professor X, who recently won a NP for his work. This is a sentence I see in your previous online class. Could you please tell me why does the who....modifier modify the professor X not the professor Y? Also, in a construction: NOUN+ Modifier1+ Modifier 2, in what circumstance, the modifier2 modifies the NOUN rather than any noun included in the modifier1?


Thanks in advance

[RonPurewal]

Dear ron,

there is a sentence: on the stage is Professor Y, along with professor X, who recently won a NP for his work. This is a sentence I see in your previous online class. Could you please tell me why does the who....modifier modify the professor X not the professor Y?

if the sentence is well written, the modifier will be placed as close as possible to whatever it's describing.

this is especially true here, since X and Y can be switched with no issues. (the two professors are standing alongside each other on stage, so the order in which we mention them is irrelevant.)
so, if i wanted to describe professor y, i'd write exactly the same sentence but with 'X' and 'Y' reversed.

[RonPurewal]

Also, in a construction: NOUN+ Modifier1+ Modifier 2, in what circumstance, the modifier2 modifies the NOUN rather than any noun included in the modifier1?

for any issue as specific as this one, the context will be essential.

in other words, this is the kind of question one would ask about a specific problem.