[Grammar] Naked Picture Of Woman (grammar question, no attachment!)

[nor245]

If I write the following phrases using the adjective "naked":

1. "a picture of a naked woman"
2. "a naked picture of a woman"

On a first reading, the second phrase seems wrong. But the second phrase seems too be more popular online than the first phrase. Do the two phrases have the same meaning?

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Naked Picture Of Woman

It is a common, but incorrect, construction. You are right that it is the woman who is naked, not the picture. However, we have come to use the terms "naked picture(s)" or "naked photo(s)" as a general term for pictures of someone with no clothes on. So yes "a picture of a naked woman" is grammatically correct but you will hear "a naked picture [of someone]" a lot.

Note that I've added a little to your title in case people thought you were attaching a photo of a naked woman!

 

[nor245]

Re: Naked Picture Of Woman

@emsr2d2

So, "a naked picture of a woman" is preferred over "a picture of a naked woman" simply because the former is more idiomatic?

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: Naked Picture Of Woman

You will hear both. You can use either.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Re: Naked Picture Of Woman

I found 'a nude photograph' on http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/nude_1
So it may be correct to say 'a nude picture of someone'.

Not a teacher.

 

[bhaisahab]

Re: Naked Picture Of Woman

I found 'a nude photograph' on http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/nude_1
So it may be correct to say 'a nude picture of someone'.

Not a teacher.

I find that more natural than "a naked picture".