AboutJerry Leone Expertise I`ve taught writing or some aspect of the English language for nearly 35 years. I can answer nearly any question on grammar, usage or meanings of words above dictionary usage. An avid crossword fan and writer, I can also answer questions about business presentations and resumes.
Experience I have worked with words all my life as a teacher of the language and as an amateur and professional writer. Communication is a vital force in my life and everyone else's.
Expert: Jerry Leone Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: punctuation effect on meaning
Question In the following sentence, "In order to maintain the asthetic enviroment of the community, no stripped, partially wrecked, or junked motor vehicle, trailer, boat, refrigerator, stove, or other appliance or any other salvage item of any kind, or parts thereof, shall be permitted to be parked, kept or stored on any public street, tract or corporate area in the community." do the adjectives stripped, partiall wrecked, or junked apply to all of the items listed or only to the motor vehicle? If they do not apply to all of the items listed , what would be the proper punctation or construction of the sentence in order to make them apply to all of the listed items?
Answer John,
I'm not sure I'm answering your question, but this sentence is too crowded and poorly written to determine anything. It is the kind of sentence you find in a Homeowners' Covenants, that was written by lawyers who are notoriously poor writers.
I would write it thusly:
In order to maintain the community's environmental aesthetics, certain items shall not be permitted to be parked, kept or stored on any public street, tract or corporate area in the community. These items include motor vehicles, trailers, boats, that have been stripped, partially wrecked or junked. Additionally refrigerators, stoves, as well as other appliances or other salvage items of any kind or parts there of, are prohibited.
Now, it is easy to determine what the adjectives modify and that answers you question.
