Questions on modifiers

Question

Can you please answer these questions?1. If a definition of the word "float" starts off like "a piece of wood or other light material that stays ...," do you think the article "a" modifies the word "material"?2. Do you think the word "another" is correct here? Why? I think the word "other" is correct, not the word "another"?Please make another three topic headlines.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Can you please answer these questions?

1. If a definition of the word "float" starts off like "a piece of wood or other light material that stays ...," do you think the article "a" modifies the word "material"? No, I don't.

2. Do you think the word "another" is correct here? I prefer the word 'other'.

Why? 'Other' means 'not the same as something already mentioned', and that meaning fits here.

I think the word "other" is correct, not the word "another"?

Please make another three topic headlines. The word' another' is correct here. It means 'an additional three headlines.'

Clive

Goodman · Answer

Anon,
I can't understand your questions.

I have another appointment this afternoon.
Another -suggests one. But another three??

Please make another three topic headlines.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIf a definition of the word "float" starts off like "a piece of wood or other light material that stays ...," do you think the article "a" modifies the word "material"?

No. It can't. other forces an uncountable interpretation on material, so the indefinite article a can't occur there.
___
"another (number)" means "(number) more" or "(number) additional".
another three = three more = three additional
other is not used in this idiom.
We need another three chairs.
Henry bought another five books today.
CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you all. As it seems to me, why is the one forces an uncountable interpretation on the first one, whereas it does not necessary forces on the second one. How could we tell the difference? I think one can say "material" here is used in an uncountable sense and "pen" is obviously used as a countable noun.

1. Original example phrase:

"a piece of wood or other light material that stays ...,"

2. A pencil and other pen would be nice to have for the meeting. -- I interprete this as "a pencil and another pen" with "a" modifynig the "pen" as well. It could be written both ways (I think): A pen and another pen or A pen and other pen.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
Thank you all. As it seems to me, why is the one forces an uncountable interpretation on the first one, whereas it does not necessary forces on the second one. How could we tell the difference? I think one can say "material" here is used in an uncountable sense and "pen" is obviously used as a countable noun.

1. Original example phrase:

"a piece of wood or other light material that stays ...,"As I told you earlier, 'other' means 'not the same as something already mentioned', and that is the meaning that fits here.
When you say 'a piece of wood', the word 'wood' is used as an uncountable noun. When you say 'a piece of (other) light material', the word 'material' is used uncountably.

2. A pencil and other pen would be nice to have for the meeting. -- I interprete this as "a pencil and another pen" with "a" modifynig the "pen" as well. It could be written both ways (I think): A pen and another pen or A pen and other pen.
Writing 'a pencil and other pen' is very unnatural and awkard. Offhand, I can't imagine a context in which a native speaker would say that.
As I told you earlier, 'other' means 'not the same as something already mentioned'. If I had to interpret
'a pencil and other pen', it would sound to me like the intended meaning is 'a pencil and a different pen'.

Clive.

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