30 March 2006

'Do not leave your baggage unattended'

'Do not leave your baggage unattended.'
(A common sign on Sydney buses.)

Observation
Not sure how to parse this sentence; options are:

(a) Split Verb
The verb 'to leave something unattended' has been split by 'your baggage'.
ie. [Do not leave] + [your baggage] + [unattended]

(b) Reverse Noun Modifier
The modifier 'unattended' is placed after the modified 'your baggage'.
ie. [Do not leave] + [your baggage < unattended]

Both are possible, but which one is preferred for ease of parsing?

2006-03-30 10:33:00am (GMT +10 -1) kyy

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