... applied in sampling and chemical skills ...

[Bahar86]

Hello dear teachers,

Could you please help me with the correct place of a prepositional phrase?

For example:

If theoretical knowledge and practical skills are effectively applied in sampling and chemical skills

Or

If theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sampling and chemical skills are effectively applied

1) Which one is correct?
2) Is there any difference in their meanings?

 

[teechar]

First, can you give us the full sentence please? What you wrote is just the dependent part of conditional sentence.

 

[Bahar86]

First, can you give us the full sentence please? What you wrote is just the dependent part of conditional sentence.

Yes, sure!

If theoretical knowledge and practical skills are effectively applied in sampling and chemical skills, we will not only identify the natural resources, but also achieve a deeper understanding of the earth's dynamics and the future of environmental condition.

 

[teechar]

The sentence is verbose and unnatural. Can you say what you're trying to say in fewer words?

 

[Bahar86]

The sentence is verbose and unnatural. Can you say what you're trying to say in fewer words

This is a translation from a Medical Persian text to English. So I don't know how to say it in fewer words because the terms are specialized.

 

[Tarheel]

I think you need an "s" at the end of "conditions".

Also, it would be more natural to me to use "Earth" instead of "the earth".

 

[jutfrank]

I don't know how to say it in fewer words because the terms are specialized.

Are you saying that 'chemical skills' is a specialised term? I very much doubt that.

The correct position of your prepositional phrase is how you have it in the first sentence, but the prepositional phrase itself is not right.

 

[Bahar86]

Are you saying that 'chemical skills' is a specialised term? I very much doubt that.

The correct position of your prepositional phrase is how you have it in the first sentence, but the prepositional phrase itself is not right.

No, I meant the whole sentence because "teacher" told me it is verbose and asked me to say it in fewer words.

Sorry could you please explain what's wrong with the prepositional phrase? And if the sentence sounds verbose and unnatural to you as well?

 

[Bahar86]

Sorry everyone I made two mistakes! First it's chemical analysis not chemical skills and it's also a geology text not a Medical text.

If theoretical knowledge and practical skills are effectively applied in sampling and chemical analysis, we will not only identify the natural resources on the planet, but also achieve a deeper understanding of Earth’s dynamics and the future of its environmental conditions.

*I applied the corrections Tarheel mentioned

 

[jutfrank]

Sorry could you please explain what's wrong with the prepositional phrase?

I don't generally find it verbose or unnatural. For me, the offending part is the 'chemical skills' bit. How does that complement the preposition 'in'? I'm not convinced that 'in' is the right preposition for what the sentence is supposed to mean.

Also, the logic suggests that (practical) skills are applied in (chemical) skills. How can skills be applied in skills? It doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Bahar86]

I don't generally find it verbose or unnatural. For me, the offending part is the 'chemical skills' bit. How does that complement the preposition 'in'? I'm not convinced that 'in' is the right preposition for what the sentence is supposed to mean.

Also, the logic suggests that (practical) skills are applied in (chemical) skills. How can skills be applied in skills? It doesn't make sense to me.

You are completely right! I made a mistake. It's not chemical skills it's chemical analysis. Does it make sense now?

 

[jutfrank]

It's not chemical skills it's chemical analysis. Does it make sense now?

Ah, so yes now it makes sense! Furthermore, I can now see that the second position is the right one, not the first position as I said before. Thus:

If theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sampling and chemical analysis are effectively applied, ...

 

[Bahar86]

Ah, so yes now it makes sense! Furthermore, I can now see that the second position is the right one, not the first position as I said before. Thus:

If theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sampling and chemical analysis are effectively applied, ...

Thank you so much!

Sorry, how do you understand a position is right or not? Based on meaning or other factors?

 

[jutfrank]

Sorry, how do you understand a position is right or not? Based on meaning or other factors?

Yes, it's chiefly about meaning. In this case, sampling and chemical analysis are methods in which a researcher has practical skills which can be applied.

 

[Bahar86]

Yes, it's chiefly about meaning. In this case, sampling and chemical analysis are methods in which a researcher has practical skills which can be applied.

Thanks a lot for your help!