my student gave this question:

when will she know what the prepositional phrase is modifying is she doesn't use the situation where this sentence is used:

My mother made me cook the food in the kitchen.

She destroyed the car in the garage.

I kept on telling her that structure alone does not help her understand what a modifier modifies - she also needs to know the context when and where the sentence is used.

Another sentence that bugs her is this (amidst my explanation that she should not make use of structure alone because sentences are not just made through structures but also though meanings)

The special edition of the weekly Spider-Man comic features a six-page story about the superhero saving the day when an impostor tries to take Obama's place as president.

she keep son insisting that when she tries to read articles, she can only make use of structure-based comprehension - that's why she sees the when clause there as modifying the verb feature and not when the saving of the day happened.

--> what would be the best way to discuss to her why the when clause is modifying the saving of the day and not features using structure alone -

for me the answer is impossible, but i think you can share some ideas on this one

Shocked Shocked Shocked
Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad
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