Prepositional phrase/ modification

Question

Sentence: "The opinion in its general form was that of the sentience of all vegetable things."

The dispute among colleagues is concerning the word being modified by the prepositional phrase. Some say "opinion" thus making the prepositonal phrase adjectival. Others say "was" thus making the phrase adverbial. I say "was" - adverbial.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I have to disagree with you.

I can only parse the sentence with the prepositional phrase modifying "opinion."

The opinion as it stands is rediculous.

It's perhaps arguable because of the verb "to be."

If you switch to a transitive verb, it might be easier to see what is modified:

The opinion by itself cannot take precedence over existing law.

Well, I guess it's still arguable.

(adverbial or adjectival?)

I still come down on the adjective side.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousSentence: "The opinion in its general form was that of the sentience of all vegetable things."
The dispute among colleagues is concerning the word being modified by the prepositional phrase. Some say "opinion" thus making the prepositonal phrase adjectival. Others say "was" thus making the phrase adverbial. I say "was" - adverbial.

In my opinion both are wrong. I think you are neglecting a third choice -- that of a sentential adverb. "in its general form" is an abbreviated form of a subordinate when or if clause, and thus modifies the entire sentence, not just a single word. Personally, I think it's just about impossible to modify a word like "was", which is nothing more than a linking verb.

When (the opinion was) expressed in its general form,
the opinion was that all vegetable things are sentient.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

AvangiWell, I guess it's still arguable. (adverbial or adjectival?)

I still come down on the adjective side.

But consider that , unlike an adjective, "in its general form" does not say what kind of an opinion it is. Does it?

Here is the opinion in its general form.

Here is the opinion as it stands.
Here is the opinion by itself.

Compare:

Here is the unusual opinion (I was talking about).

Here is the outspoken opinion (I was talking about).

Here is the opinion (that I read) about global warming.

CJ

Prepositional phrase/ modification

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions