CristianJuarez wrote:
Hi
mikemcgarryA few days ago you helped me with a modifier (
https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-normativ ... l#p1940940 ), I was hoping you could help me again... I understand A is correct here for many reasons, but I still have questions regarding the following modifier:
Quote:
Regardless of their form or function, all aerodynamically enhanced, curved objects made for throwing have been called boomerangs by non-Australians even since 1788, when Europeans saw Dharug-peaking men tossing “bumariny” in the area later known as Sydney.
A. Regardless of their form or function, all aerodynamically enhanced, curved objects made for throwing have been called boomerangs by non-Australians even since 1788,
B. Regardless of their form or function, any aerodynamically enhanced, curved object made for throwing has been called a boomerang by non-Australians even since 1788,
C. Ever since 1788, non-Australians have called all aerodynamically enhanced, curved objects made for throwing boomerangs, regardless of their form or function, from
D. Ever since 1788, any aerodynamically enhanced, curved object made for throwing has been called a boomerang by non-Australians, regardless of its form or function,from
E. Non-Australians have called all aerodynamically enhanced, curved objects made for throwing boomerang ever since 1788, regardless of their form or function, from
What is
regardless of their form or function modifying on each alternative? Could you please correct my thoughts?
A. Noun modifier, modifying objects (or all aerodynamically enhanced, curved objects). I think its an adjectival phrase? It answers: what kind? Any kind (regardless of their form or function)
B. Same as A, but singular object.
C. Noun modifier, modifying boomerangs.
D. Noun modifier Mistake? Modifying non-australians, or is it a verb modifier here, modifying called? It is the same phrase, the only change is the pronoun, can it be a adverbial phrase anyway?
E. I have the same confusion as in D, but if its a noun modifier i don't know which noun its modifying.
Kind regards,
Cristián
Dear
CristianJuarez,
I'm happy to respond.
My friend, with all due respect, I would say that, in all five cases, "
regardless of their form or function" is
not a noun modifier but a
verb modifier. If a modifier spoke of having a particular form or function, or even if it were "
having any form or function," that would be answering the adjectival "
what kind?" question. Different groups of boomerangs may have this or that form or function or any form or function at all.
The word "
regardless" is tricky here. The root word is "
regard," which implies human attention and prioritization. A boomerang can't have "
regard" and therefore can't be "
regardless." Only human subjects can have "
regard" or act in a "
regardless" manner. I would say that the word "
regardless" always introduces an adverbial phrase, a verb modifier.
Of course, verb modifiers are not subject to the Modifier Touch Rule and can be placed with great freedom, as long as there's no ambiguity. Here, in all five instances, the phrase unambiguously modifies the verb "
called." How was the calling done? It was done "
regardless of their form or function." Recall that "
How?" is an adverbial question.
My friend, does all this make sense?
Mike
_________________
Mike McGarry
Magoosh Test PrepEducation is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. — William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)