Jan 18, 2006 TOEFL test ----2

[xizzhu]

what is being modified by "mostly" in the phrase "a very large family of mostly tropical trees"?

[mishu007]

what are the options????

[Tino]

"Mostly" is an ADVERB. It modifies the ADJECTIVE "tropical". "tropical" modifies the NOUN "trees".

[xizzhu]

Originally Posted by Tino

"Mostly" is an ADVERB. It modifies the ADJECTIVE "tropical". "tropical" modifies the NOUN "trees".

i cannot understand the meaning of "mostly tropical" if "mostly" modifies "tropical".

"mostly tropical weather' would be correct?

[wasleys]

Originally Posted by xizzhu

i cannot understand the meaning of "mostly tropical" if "mostly" modifies "tropical".

"mostly tropical weather' would be correct?

xizzhu,

It means 'most of the trees in the family are tropical trees'.

I think I would say 'mainly tropical weather' if meaning the weather was usually tropical.

Michael

[xizzhu]

Originally Posted by wasleys

xizzhu,

It means 'most of the trees in the family are tropical trees'.

I think I would say 'mainly tropical weather' if meaning the weather was usually tropical.

Michael

Thanks, Michael. i always feel that either "a large family of most tropical trees" or "a large family of the most tropical trees" is correct.

[wasleys]

Originally Posted by xizzhu

Thanks, Michael. i always feel that either "a large family of most tropical trees" or "a large family of the most tropical trees" is correct.

xizzhu,

To develop the examples you give:

Most tropical trees are thick-stemmed = the majority of tropical trees have thick stems.

The most tropical trees are found nearest the equator = the trees which are found in the very hottest areas … (this isn't good English, I just use it to show the usage of the most - my botany's iffy too )

Michael

[Tino]

You wrote: ""a large family of most tropical trees" or "a large family of the most tropical trees" is correct."

I understand your feeling, but that is wrong.

It is a basic rule:
Adjectives modify NOUNS
Adverbs modify VERBS, ADJECTIVES and other ADVERBS.

Tropical is an ADJECTIVE as we can see from the ending "-al". Thus, to moidfy the ADJECTIVE "tropical" we must have an ADVERB.

Here is another way to write:
"a large family of 90% tropical trees".

Notice that the family is 100% trees. The variation is in the type! Most (90%) are tropical, thus that is why we know that "mostly" must modify "tropical".

Good luck!!

Tino

[xizzhu]

Originally Posted by Tino

You wrote: ""a large family of most tropical trees" or "a large family of the most tropical trees" is correct."

I understand your feeling, but that is wrong.

It is a basic rule:
Adjectives modify NOUNS
Adverbs modify VERBS, ADJECTIVES and other ADVERBS.

Tropical is an ADJECTIVE as we can see from the ending "-al". Thus, to moidfy the ADJECTIVE "tropical" we must have an ADVERB.

Here is another way to write:
"a large family of 90% tropical trees".

Notice that the family is 100% trees. The variation is in the type! Most (90%) are tropical, thus that is why we know that "mostly" must modify "tropical".

Good luck!

Tino

thanks! but 'most' can be an adverb, too.

[Tino]

Yes, but only when used in the superlative, meaning "the greatest. To the highest degree." It is used with long adjectives:

the biggest
the most immense

the cheapest
the most expensive

There is also an older use, that is uncommon now, where most is used like "very" meaning "to a very great amount"

The talk was most interesting.
He is most entertaining.

But this is 1) uncommon 2) makes no sense with "tropical" (how is a tree very tropical?)

Good luck!

Tino