SC noun modifier placement

[ecisn33186]

I have a question about SC noun modifiers. With nouns, modifiers are subject to the touch rule, but when doing some problems in the OG I noticed that the modifier didn't have to touch the noun



Example:

"Bill began his translation of the Odysee, a work that took him several years to...

-I know that "a work" is an appositive and is supposed to modify translation, but "translation" is not next to "a work," "Odysee" is. Is it okay that they are separated by a prespositional phrase.

-Would this be okay: "The dog in the pool, tired from running all day, took a swim" Here, dog and the past participle are not next to each other.

-Would this be okay: "The dog in the pool, a mixed terrirer that liked pizza, swam all day" This sounds okay even though the appositive (mixed terrier) is not next to the noun dog.

However, "The dog in the pool, a mixed terrier, swam all day. Now this sounds strange; it makes it seem as like the pool is the mixed terrier.

-"The dog in the pool that likes pizza is having fun " Here, the relative pronoun is not next to dog, but pizza. According to the rules, this should be wrong.

I guess, my question is what can separate a noun modifier and a noun and still be considered "next" to each other. I know that with relative pronouns that the relative pronoun and noun have to be next to each other, unless the appositive exception. Is the first example I cited just the appositive exception that I am not seeing.

[tim]

if a modifier touches the noun, that satisfies the touch rule. if another modifier touches that modifier, that also satisfies the touch rule. does that help resolve your concern?

[Willy]

I have a question about SC noun modifiers. With nouns, modifiers are subject to the touch rule, but when doing some problems in the OG I noticed that the modifier didn't have to touch the noun

Example:

"Bill began his translation of the Odysee, a work that took him several years to...

-I know that "a work" is an appositive and is supposed to modify translation, but "translation" is not next to "a work," "Odysee" is. Is it okay that they are separated by a prespositional phrase

I can't comment on your examples but would surely comment on above piece. Your examples are really confusing :)

As said above by 'Tim sir', the general rule is

(Noun + Noun modifier) can modify the preceding noun OR any noun in the preceding clause OR preceding clause.

So, in above example

"Bill began his translation of the [i]Odysee, a work that took him several years to...[/i]

(Noun + Noun Modifier) is part (a work that took him several years to...)

(notice the color coding)

So, in this case, (Noun + Noun modifier) can modify any noun in the preceding clause i.e. "translation"

Am I right Tim sir?

P.S. - Check OG 12 q118 and notice Noun + Noun Modifier modifying the preceding noun.

- check OG 12 q83 and notice Noun + Noun Modifier modifying the
preceding clause.

[tim]

Willy sir, i wouldn't go so far as to say "work" can modify ANY noun in the previous clause, only one that "work" can be connected to through an unbroken chain of modifiers to the same noun..

[Willy]

Willy sir, i wouldn't go so far as to say "work" can modify ANY noun in the previous clause, only one that "work" can be connected to through an unbroken chain of modifiers to the same noun..

Okay, thanks teacher for correcting me. I wanted to say the same thing but missed. :)

[RonPurewal]

gmac has only done this with prepositional phrases.

i.e., if a modifier can describe nouns, then it can also describe constructions of the form "noun + prep phrase".

there is no evidence that gmac allows the same to transpire with other types of modifiers.