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12-Oct-2006, 08:08
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| |  adverbial clause
Dear teachers,
Please read the following sentence:
We went along a dirt road that led down into a valley, about a mile out of town, where there was a pond.
The textbook explained that 'where there was a pond is an adverbial clause of place'. I don't think so. I think it should be an attributive clause modifying 'valley'. Is that right?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang |
12-Oct-2006, 08:48
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| | Re: adverbial clause
most native speakers would have no idea how to answer this question, you best consult a serious teacher or grammar guide. but most likely your book is correct. are you preparing for some grammar test, like IELTS?
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12-Oct-2006, 10:19
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| | Re: adverbial clause
Hi Jiang,
It might be easier to understand the difference in sentences formed like this:
We went along a dirt road that led down into the valley where there was a pond
We went along a dirt road that led down into a valley, where there was a pond.
The second sentence (as the sentence in your example) involves a place adverbial. The first sentece involves a wh-clause with the function of post-modifier of "valley" |
12-Oct-2006, 18:43
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| | Re: adverbial clause
Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang  Dear teachers,
Please read the following sentence:
We went along a dirt road that led down into a valley, about a mile out of town, where there was a pond.
The textbook explained that 'where there was a pond is an adverbial clause of place'. I don't think so. I think it should be an attributive clause modifying 'valley'. Is that right?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang | I agree with you. This sentence refers to a "valley where or in which there was a pond". The clause is adjectival because it describes "valley". |
12-Oct-2006, 18:45
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| | Re: adverbial clause
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mariner Hi Jiang,
It might be easier to understand the difference in sentences formed like this:
We went along a dirt road that led down into the valley where there was a pond
We went along a dirt road that led down into a valley, where there was a pond.
The second sentence (as the sentence in your example) involves a place adverbial. The first sentece involves a wh-clause with the function of post-modifier of "valley" | I don't see the difference there. The article change doesn't really affect the function of the clause. IMO, it describes "valley" in both cases. |
12-Oct-2006, 20:06
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| | Re: adverbial clause
It's not only about the article, but also the use of comma. I believe that we can treat it the same way as in sentences like:
I gave the book to a neighbor, who is tall
vs.
I gave the book to the neighbor who is tall
The second one, implies that we gave the book to the tall neighbor (and not the short one, for example).
Similarly, I think that
We went along a dirt road that led down into the valley where there was a pond implies that from all the valleys, the road led down into the valley where there was a pond.
At least that's how I would perceive the difference |
12-Oct-2006, 20:12
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| | Re: adverbial clause
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mariner It's not only about the article, but also the use of comma. I believe that we can treat it the same way as in sentences like:
I gave the book to a neighbor, who is tall
vs.
I gave the book to the neighbor who is tall
The second one, implies that we gave the book to the tall neighbor (and not the short one, for example). | I agree, but the "who" clause modifies "neighbor in both cases" With the comma, the information is viewed to be accessory; without the comma it is viewed as being essential/defining. In both cases, however, the neighber is tall.
{quote]Similarly, I think that We went along a dirt road that led down into the valley where there was a pond implies that from all the valleys, the road led down into the valley where there was a pond.
At least that's how I would perceive the difference[/quote]
I agree, but as above, the clause with the pond describes the valley. IMO. |
12-Oct-2006, 22:12
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| | Re: adverbial clause
Hi matterwpage,
Thank you very much for your advise. I am not preparing for some grammar test.
Best wishes,
Jiang Quote:
Originally Posted by matthewpage most native speakers would have no idea how to answer this question, you best consult a serious teacher or grammar guide. but most likely your book is correct. are you preparing for some grammar test, like IELTS? | |
12-Oct-2006, 22:14
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| | Re: adverbial clause
Dear Mariner,
Thank you very much for your help. But I see no difference between the sentences.
Best wishes,
Jiang Quote:
Originally Posted by Mariner It's not only about the article, but also the use of comma. I believe that we can treat it the same way as in sentences like:
I gave the book to a neighbor, who is tall
vs.
I gave the book to the neighbor who is tall
The second one, implies that we gave the book to the tall neighbor (and not the short one, for example).
Similarly, I think that
We went along a dirt road that led down into the valley where there was a pond implies that from all the valleys, the road led down into the valley where there was a pond.
At least that's how I would perceive the difference | |
12-Oct-2006, 22:16
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| | Re: adverbial clause
Dear Mike,
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.
Jiang Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork I agree with you. This sentence refers to a "valley where or in which there was a pond". The clause is adjectival because it describes "valley". | | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
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