The book on the desk is mine.
The book on the desk is mine.
I know that 'on the desk' as a prepositional phrase modifies 'The book' and it functions as a adjective phrase, too.
The Empire State Building in New York, the United States is a famous skyscraper.
Here in the sentence, then, should I say that 'in New York, the United States' modifies 'The Empire State Building'?
However, it does not make sense because 'The Empire State Building' is a proper noun and the only one in the world, which means it is not possible to modify the building, right?
And then is it another grammar rule?
What do you native English speakers think?
Thank you so much as usual in advance.
Top answer
It's like the distinction between defining and non-defining relative clauses. e. defining which book is meant.
- It's like the distinction between defining and non-defining relative clauses.
- e.
- defining which book is meant.
- e.
- non-defining, giving further information.
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It's like the distinction between defining and non-defining relative clauses. "the book on the desk" means "the book that is on the desk", i.e. defining which book is meant. "The Empire State Building in New York" is like "The Empire State Building, which is in New York", i.e. non-defining, giving further information.
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