A strange way to modify a noun
I've never met a griffon this mean.
In the above sentence, the adjective 'mean' seems to modify the noun 'griffon' backwards, and unlike French, that's an usual way in English. Could you tell me why that occurs there? Thanks in advance!
The line is quoted from http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Transcripts/Griffon_the_Brush_Off
Top answer
In the above sentence, the adjective 'mean' seems to modify the noun 'griffon' backwards, and unlike French, that's an usual way in English. Could you tell me why that occurs there? It is a reduced relative clause: I've never met a griffon [that was] this mean.
- In the above sentence, the adjective 'mean' seems to modify the noun 'griffon' backwards, and unlike French, that's an usual way in English.
- Could you tell me why that occurs there?
- It is a reduced relative clause: I've never met a griffon [that was] this mean.
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PonyFanI've never met a griffon this mean.In the above sentence, the adjective 'mean' seems to modify the noun 'griffon' backwards, and unlike French, that's an usual way in English. Could you tell me why that occurs there?
It is a reduced relative clause:
I've never met a griffon [that was] this mean.
0It's not strange at all.
I can't tell you why, but I can tell you that in English nouns take not only attributive modifiers, but also post-head modifiers of most categories, for example:
I've never met a [griffon this mean]. [AdjP]
I'm looking for [a rug this colour]. (NP]
We w
0
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