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1. I have encountered this phrase from a post and have been wondering what is the main element involved here? Can you make this kind of sentences at your will or are there any rules involved?

during the-period-after-the-surgery

I think the main "bone" of the phrase is "during the surgery."

2. Are they mean the same thing?

They would feel right, isn't it?

They would not feel right, is it?

3. In the sentence, I feel the use of an indefinite article "a" consecutively and repeatedly do not render a pretty picture as to the sentential construction is concerned. What do you think?

A Quaker is a ("the" is better???) person who belongs to a Christian group called the Society of Friends.

Nona the brit · Accepted Answer

1. no, during the surgery would mean while the surgery was taking place. The original phrase talks about 'the period' (meaning a limited time, not for ever afterwards) following surgery.

2. They would feel right, wouldn't they? (not isn't it)

They would not feel right, would they. (not is it)

These have opposite meanings. In the first they do feel right. In the second they do not feel right.

3. A Quaker is a person (the would be incorrect here, it would mean that there is only one Quaker in the whole world) who belongs to the (correct here as there is only one group with this name) Christian group called the Society of Friends.

But you have to use 'a' or 'the' according to which is correct. There is no problem with using one of them several times in a sentence.

Goodman · Answer

Your phrasing and terminology are very confusing. So I am guessing on your questions.

during the-period-after-the-surgery – The way you had it written, I see a conflict between “During” and “After”, unless there is something missing you didn’t tell us.

I could say ” During the one-week trial period after the purchase of this product, you can return the product any time and receive a full refund, no question ask”. I am using the same construct but with complete context.

I think the main "bone" of the phrase is "during the surgery." – What is a “bone”? Do you mean “core”?

2. Are (Do) they mean the same thing? No, if you refer to “during” and “after”.

They would feel right, (wouldn’t it? ) isn't it?

They would not feel right, (would it?) is it?

3. In the sentence, I feel the use of an indefinite article "a" consecutively and repeatedly do not render a pretty picture as to the sentential construction is concerned. What do you think? --- What sentence? Please clarify your question.

A Quaker is a ("the" is better???) person who belongs to a Christian group called the Society of Friends. The answer is “no”.

A true friend is someone who will stand by your side in time of trouble. [ Not “the”]

The only friend who stood by me what Paul when I was feeling down. [ Not “A”]

Believer · Answer

Thank you, Nina and Goodman.

As to the first question, I want to ask you whether or not this phrasal construction, "during the-period-after-the- surgery," is a properly contructed phrase? If yes, can you give some simple examples?

Why not just plainly write it out as "during the period that is after the surgery"? Is there any reason to resort to a technique of using multiple hyphens to generate such a word?

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