What is this grammar phrase called?

Expert replies

wayofjungle: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 77; Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:55 am; Thanked: 12 times

by wayofjungle » Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:57 pm

The energy source on Voyager 2 is not a nuclear reactor, in which atoms are actively broken apart, but rather a kind of nuclear battery that uses natural radioactive decay to produce power.

I'm having trouble understanding what "kind of" is serving in this sentence. I know we are contrasting in this parallel form:

Not X but rather Y

which is like saying "Not a nuclear reactor but rather a nuclear battery" so what is this phrase "kind of" called so I can learn more about it? Is it just an adjective phrase? I think the preposition is throwing me off and I dont want to misunderstand a meaning on another question. Thanks.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:57 pm

wayofjungle: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 77; Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:55 am; Thanked: 12 times

by wayofjungle » Mon Jun 20, 2011 1:16 pm

I seem to be having frequent trouble with this concept that I cant identify, here is another example:

According to its proponents, a proposed new style of aircraft could, by skimming along the top of the atmosphere, fly between most points on Earth in under two hours.

The way I am thinking about this, we cant logically say that "a proposed new style can fly" and that's why the subject of the sentence (aircraft) is actually hidden in this modifier "a proposed new style of X" How can I separate these two meanings with a grammar rule?

Please help

Featured schoolRound 2 closes Jan 7, 2027 65 days left

Chicago Booth

Since 1982, 10 Booth faculty members have received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, more than any other business school.

#3
U.S. News rank: $175,000
Median base salary: 670
Average GMAT Focus: 635
Students in the class

Apply to Booth Visit chicagobooth.edu See the full profile

Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review