How to split apart the word order in English?












1















I've got the following sentence:



'Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver blue blood on the fallen leaves.'



It's originally from the Harry Potter book.



Here we have the part 'through the branches above' that cracked up the SVO order.



I don't know how to explain, but it seems quite strange.
If I say 'a ray of moonlight shining through the branches above lit a spot of blood', it's fine



but if I don't have an adjective clause it looks weird.



It seems more natural to say 'a ray of moonlight lit a spot of silver blue blood through the branches above'



Simplifying, we could say 'A ray lit a spot through the branches', not 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' A Method comes after.



Here is the question: Could I write sentences such as the last one and what's a grammatically correct way to do it?










share|improve this question







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Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1





    Rowling is a billionaire, not a stylist.

    – Robusto
    9 hours ago






  • 2





    @Robusto: Have you tried writing a seven-volume series of novels without a single vaguely grammatically questionable sentence? People nitpick on Rowling way too much (probably because she is a billionaire).

    – Peter Shor
    9 hours ago








  • 1





    @Robusto So? Being either of those things has nothing to do with whether you can write entertaining prose. In fact I'd argue the best prose ignores style guidelines frequently. Otherwise, novels would be awfully boring. But I suppose some people are obsessed with following rules, even when they don't actually exist...

    – only_pro
    9 hours ago








  • 2





    @PeterShor: That is not the issue, and you know it. Personally, I found her unreadable—and I really, really tried to read her because my son was so into the series. I don't begrudge her her success, but apparently for all her wealth none of it went into an editor who would stand up to her excesses. For fantasy, give me Ursula K. LeGuin any day.

    – Robusto
    8 hours ago






  • 1





    Ahem. In the spirit of staying on-topic: first off, "a ray through the branches lit a spot" is fine. It's not the usual order but you can use it under poetic license any day. Secondly and more importantly: I believe you've simplified the example to an extent where it has become something else entirely. In the original phrase, "through the branches" modifies ray. A ray of light through the branches. That's a single unit. And then that unit does something. In the usual order. You are trying to reduce it to a construction where "through the branches" modifies lit. And so you run into trouble.

    – RegDwigнt
    6 hours ago
















1















I've got the following sentence:



'Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver blue blood on the fallen leaves.'



It's originally from the Harry Potter book.



Here we have the part 'through the branches above' that cracked up the SVO order.



I don't know how to explain, but it seems quite strange.
If I say 'a ray of moonlight shining through the branches above lit a spot of blood', it's fine



but if I don't have an adjective clause it looks weird.



It seems more natural to say 'a ray of moonlight lit a spot of silver blue blood through the branches above'



Simplifying, we could say 'A ray lit a spot through the branches', not 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' A Method comes after.



Here is the question: Could I write sentences such as the last one and what's a grammatically correct way to do it?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1





    Rowling is a billionaire, not a stylist.

    – Robusto
    9 hours ago






  • 2





    @Robusto: Have you tried writing a seven-volume series of novels without a single vaguely grammatically questionable sentence? People nitpick on Rowling way too much (probably because she is a billionaire).

    – Peter Shor
    9 hours ago








  • 1





    @Robusto So? Being either of those things has nothing to do with whether you can write entertaining prose. In fact I'd argue the best prose ignores style guidelines frequently. Otherwise, novels would be awfully boring. But I suppose some people are obsessed with following rules, even when they don't actually exist...

    – only_pro
    9 hours ago








  • 2





    @PeterShor: That is not the issue, and you know it. Personally, I found her unreadable—and I really, really tried to read her because my son was so into the series. I don't begrudge her her success, but apparently for all her wealth none of it went into an editor who would stand up to her excesses. For fantasy, give me Ursula K. LeGuin any day.

    – Robusto
    8 hours ago






  • 1





    Ahem. In the spirit of staying on-topic: first off, "a ray through the branches lit a spot" is fine. It's not the usual order but you can use it under poetic license any day. Secondly and more importantly: I believe you've simplified the example to an extent where it has become something else entirely. In the original phrase, "through the branches" modifies ray. A ray of light through the branches. That's a single unit. And then that unit does something. In the usual order. You are trying to reduce it to a construction where "through the branches" modifies lit. And so you run into trouble.

    – RegDwigнt
    6 hours ago














1












1








1








I've got the following sentence:



'Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver blue blood on the fallen leaves.'



It's originally from the Harry Potter book.



Here we have the part 'through the branches above' that cracked up the SVO order.



I don't know how to explain, but it seems quite strange.
If I say 'a ray of moonlight shining through the branches above lit a spot of blood', it's fine



but if I don't have an adjective clause it looks weird.



It seems more natural to say 'a ray of moonlight lit a spot of silver blue blood through the branches above'



Simplifying, we could say 'A ray lit a spot through the branches', not 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' A Method comes after.



Here is the question: Could I write sentences such as the last one and what's a grammatically correct way to do it?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I've got the following sentence:



'Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver blue blood on the fallen leaves.'



It's originally from the Harry Potter book.



Here we have the part 'through the branches above' that cracked up the SVO order.



I don't know how to explain, but it seems quite strange.
If I say 'a ray of moonlight shining through the branches above lit a spot of blood', it's fine



but if I don't have an adjective clause it looks weird.



It seems more natural to say 'a ray of moonlight lit a spot of silver blue blood through the branches above'



Simplifying, we could say 'A ray lit a spot through the branches', not 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' A Method comes after.



Here is the question: Could I write sentences such as the last one and what's a grammatically correct way to do it?







grammar word-order






share|improve this question







New contributor




Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor




Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 9 hours ago









Through The WondersThrough The Wonders

91




91




New contributor




Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Through The Wonders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1





    Rowling is a billionaire, not a stylist.

    – Robusto
    9 hours ago






  • 2





    @Robusto: Have you tried writing a seven-volume series of novels without a single vaguely grammatically questionable sentence? People nitpick on Rowling way too much (probably because she is a billionaire).

    – Peter Shor
    9 hours ago








  • 1





    @Robusto So? Being either of those things has nothing to do with whether you can write entertaining prose. In fact I'd argue the best prose ignores style guidelines frequently. Otherwise, novels would be awfully boring. But I suppose some people are obsessed with following rules, even when they don't actually exist...

    – only_pro
    9 hours ago








  • 2





    @PeterShor: That is not the issue, and you know it. Personally, I found her unreadable—and I really, really tried to read her because my son was so into the series. I don't begrudge her her success, but apparently for all her wealth none of it went into an editor who would stand up to her excesses. For fantasy, give me Ursula K. LeGuin any day.

    – Robusto
    8 hours ago






  • 1





    Ahem. In the spirit of staying on-topic: first off, "a ray through the branches lit a spot" is fine. It's not the usual order but you can use it under poetic license any day. Secondly and more importantly: I believe you've simplified the example to an extent where it has become something else entirely. In the original phrase, "through the branches" modifies ray. A ray of light through the branches. That's a single unit. And then that unit does something. In the usual order. You are trying to reduce it to a construction where "through the branches" modifies lit. And so you run into trouble.

    – RegDwigнt
    6 hours ago














  • 1





    Rowling is a billionaire, not a stylist.

    – Robusto
    9 hours ago






  • 2





    @Robusto: Have you tried writing a seven-volume series of novels without a single vaguely grammatically questionable sentence? People nitpick on Rowling way too much (probably because she is a billionaire).

    – Peter Shor
    9 hours ago








  • 1





    @Robusto So? Being either of those things has nothing to do with whether you can write entertaining prose. In fact I'd argue the best prose ignores style guidelines frequently. Otherwise, novels would be awfully boring. But I suppose some people are obsessed with following rules, even when they don't actually exist...

    – only_pro
    9 hours ago








  • 2





    @PeterShor: That is not the issue, and you know it. Personally, I found her unreadable—and I really, really tried to read her because my son was so into the series. I don't begrudge her her success, but apparently for all her wealth none of it went into an editor who would stand up to her excesses. For fantasy, give me Ursula K. LeGuin any day.

    – Robusto
    8 hours ago






  • 1





    Ahem. In the spirit of staying on-topic: first off, "a ray through the branches lit a spot" is fine. It's not the usual order but you can use it under poetic license any day. Secondly and more importantly: I believe you've simplified the example to an extent where it has become something else entirely. In the original phrase, "through the branches" modifies ray. A ray of light through the branches. That's a single unit. And then that unit does something. In the usual order. You are trying to reduce it to a construction where "through the branches" modifies lit. And so you run into trouble.

    – RegDwigнt
    6 hours ago








1




1





Rowling is a billionaire, not a stylist.

– Robusto
9 hours ago





Rowling is a billionaire, not a stylist.

– Robusto
9 hours ago




2




2





@Robusto: Have you tried writing a seven-volume series of novels without a single vaguely grammatically questionable sentence? People nitpick on Rowling way too much (probably because she is a billionaire).

– Peter Shor
9 hours ago







@Robusto: Have you tried writing a seven-volume series of novels without a single vaguely grammatically questionable sentence? People nitpick on Rowling way too much (probably because she is a billionaire).

– Peter Shor
9 hours ago






1




1





@Robusto So? Being either of those things has nothing to do with whether you can write entertaining prose. In fact I'd argue the best prose ignores style guidelines frequently. Otherwise, novels would be awfully boring. But I suppose some people are obsessed with following rules, even when they don't actually exist...

– only_pro
9 hours ago







@Robusto So? Being either of those things has nothing to do with whether you can write entertaining prose. In fact I'd argue the best prose ignores style guidelines frequently. Otherwise, novels would be awfully boring. But I suppose some people are obsessed with following rules, even when they don't actually exist...

– only_pro
9 hours ago






2




2





@PeterShor: That is not the issue, and you know it. Personally, I found her unreadable—and I really, really tried to read her because my son was so into the series. I don't begrudge her her success, but apparently for all her wealth none of it went into an editor who would stand up to her excesses. For fantasy, give me Ursula K. LeGuin any day.

– Robusto
8 hours ago





@PeterShor: That is not the issue, and you know it. Personally, I found her unreadable—and I really, really tried to read her because my son was so into the series. I don't begrudge her her success, but apparently for all her wealth none of it went into an editor who would stand up to her excesses. For fantasy, give me Ursula K. LeGuin any day.

– Robusto
8 hours ago




1




1





Ahem. In the spirit of staying on-topic: first off, "a ray through the branches lit a spot" is fine. It's not the usual order but you can use it under poetic license any day. Secondly and more importantly: I believe you've simplified the example to an extent where it has become something else entirely. In the original phrase, "through the branches" modifies ray. A ray of light through the branches. That's a single unit. And then that unit does something. In the usual order. You are trying to reduce it to a construction where "through the branches" modifies lit. And so you run into trouble.

– RegDwigнt
6 hours ago





Ahem. In the spirit of staying on-topic: first off, "a ray through the branches lit a spot" is fine. It's not the usual order but you can use it under poetic license any day. Secondly and more importantly: I believe you've simplified the example to an extent where it has become something else entirely. In the original phrase, "through the branches" modifies ray. A ray of light through the branches. That's a single unit. And then that unit does something. In the usual order. You are trying to reduce it to a construction where "through the branches" modifies lit. And so you run into trouble.

– RegDwigнt
6 hours ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















1














I don't understand why you think that Rowling has made some error. The formulation is just like: " A sip of tea from a porcelain cup refreshes the spirits."
The phrase "through the branches" is adjectival, distinguishing the ray of moonlight from other rays of moonlight that have not passed through branches.
Whether other less wealthy writers would have chosen those words has no bearing on whether the rules of grammar, such as they are, have been broken.






share|improve this answer































    1














    Rowling's version is fine grammatically. Prepositional phrases can serve as adjective phrases as well as adverb phrases, and prepositional phrases modifying verbs can appear before the verb.



    You are right that through, leading a prepositional phrase, tends to follow a verb, whether that would be lit or your hypothetical gerundive shining.



    However, through, like other prepositional phrases, can also follow a noun. In this case, through may modify moonlight directly. Merriam Webster features a pair of examples:




    a highway through the forest



    a road through the desert




    Here's an example from the 2016 novel Promised to the Crown, where "light" is modified by through her cell window without a clear verb correspondent:




    Seeing the dawn light through her cell window proved a disappointment that morning and many afterward.




    In a more scientific context, here's a passage about light transmitted through a vacuum without using a verb like "transmitted":




    The speed of light through a vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 meters per second, or 670,616,629 mph




    In these examples, it is clear that the first noun is somehow moving or being transmitted through the preposition's object. No verb and no rearrangement of the syntax to follow a verb is necessary.





    Even if we wanted to consider "through" as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "lit," moving the phrase "through" to precede the verb occasionally happens in literary use. Samuel Taylor Coleridge affects a lyrical style in Rime of the Ancient Mariner to do just that:




    And every tongue thro' utter drouth / Was wither'd at the root




    Or John Milton in Samson Agonistes:




    If he through frailty err




    The expressions sound distinct, and we could discuss further whether Rowling's style entirely works here (she's no poet), but the usage is fine grammatically.






    share|improve this answer
























    • So...If we take the phrase 'Megan put her bird in its cage.' and turn it into 'Megan in its cage put her bird.' it is still correct even after the transformation?

      – Through The Wonders
      7 hours ago













    • No, it's incorrect, but the primary issue is the use of a pronoun before the thing it refers to.

      – TaliesinMerlin
      6 hours ago











    • Otherwise, the placement is grammatically correct, if stylistically distinct and not common in styles of writing that privilege clarity.

      – TaliesinMerlin
      6 hours ago











    • Does treating the prepositional phrase as the adjectival phrase really works? It's really important because it changes the meaning.

      – Through The Wonders
      4 hours ago











    • It works because this is one of the things prepositional phrases commonly do, as "a ray of moonlight through the branches above" forms a larger noun phrase, and "speed of light through a vacuum" forms a larger noun phrase.

      – TaliesinMerlin
      4 hours ago



















    1














    The prepositional phrase is adverbial, and it is right where it belongs. Compare:




    Every now and then a ray of moonlight faintly lit a spot of silver
    blue blood on the fallen leaves.




    with




    Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver
    blue blood on the fallen leaves.
    The grammar is the same.







    share|improve this answer


























    • Sorry, I don't know how the delete thing works. My deleted comment appears on my screen, maybe not on others'. But since someone upvoted my answer, I guess I should make it available. I would amend it to say that treating the prepositional phrase as adjectival works, too.

      – remarkl
      5 hours ago











    • Ok. We've got this: 'A ray lit a spot through the branches' and this: 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' I reckon that both examples modify the verb 'lit' If I say 'A ray shining through the branches' then it indeed modifies 'a ray', because it's an adjective clause.

      – Through The Wonders
      5 hours ago





















    -2














    through the branches above is participle-like, cp. the hat of the man (standing) in front of the store was ...



    to through can become a verb, I guess.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 5





      Seriously, what are you talking about? What you're saying makes no sense at all.

      – Robusto
      7 hours ago











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    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

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    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    1














    I don't understand why you think that Rowling has made some error. The formulation is just like: " A sip of tea from a porcelain cup refreshes the spirits."
    The phrase "through the branches" is adjectival, distinguishing the ray of moonlight from other rays of moonlight that have not passed through branches.
    Whether other less wealthy writers would have chosen those words has no bearing on whether the rules of grammar, such as they are, have been broken.






    share|improve this answer




























      1














      I don't understand why you think that Rowling has made some error. The formulation is just like: " A sip of tea from a porcelain cup refreshes the spirits."
      The phrase "through the branches" is adjectival, distinguishing the ray of moonlight from other rays of moonlight that have not passed through branches.
      Whether other less wealthy writers would have chosen those words has no bearing on whether the rules of grammar, such as they are, have been broken.






      share|improve this answer


























        1












        1








        1







        I don't understand why you think that Rowling has made some error. The formulation is just like: " A sip of tea from a porcelain cup refreshes the spirits."
        The phrase "through the branches" is adjectival, distinguishing the ray of moonlight from other rays of moonlight that have not passed through branches.
        Whether other less wealthy writers would have chosen those words has no bearing on whether the rules of grammar, such as they are, have been broken.






        share|improve this answer













        I don't understand why you think that Rowling has made some error. The formulation is just like: " A sip of tea from a porcelain cup refreshes the spirits."
        The phrase "through the branches" is adjectival, distinguishing the ray of moonlight from other rays of moonlight that have not passed through branches.
        Whether other less wealthy writers would have chosen those words has no bearing on whether the rules of grammar, such as they are, have been broken.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 7 hours ago









        JeremyCJeremyC

        2,505313




        2,505313

























            1














            Rowling's version is fine grammatically. Prepositional phrases can serve as adjective phrases as well as adverb phrases, and prepositional phrases modifying verbs can appear before the verb.



            You are right that through, leading a prepositional phrase, tends to follow a verb, whether that would be lit or your hypothetical gerundive shining.



            However, through, like other prepositional phrases, can also follow a noun. In this case, through may modify moonlight directly. Merriam Webster features a pair of examples:




            a highway through the forest



            a road through the desert




            Here's an example from the 2016 novel Promised to the Crown, where "light" is modified by through her cell window without a clear verb correspondent:




            Seeing the dawn light through her cell window proved a disappointment that morning and many afterward.




            In a more scientific context, here's a passage about light transmitted through a vacuum without using a verb like "transmitted":




            The speed of light through a vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 meters per second, or 670,616,629 mph




            In these examples, it is clear that the first noun is somehow moving or being transmitted through the preposition's object. No verb and no rearrangement of the syntax to follow a verb is necessary.





            Even if we wanted to consider "through" as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "lit," moving the phrase "through" to precede the verb occasionally happens in literary use. Samuel Taylor Coleridge affects a lyrical style in Rime of the Ancient Mariner to do just that:




            And every tongue thro' utter drouth / Was wither'd at the root




            Or John Milton in Samson Agonistes:




            If he through frailty err




            The expressions sound distinct, and we could discuss further whether Rowling's style entirely works here (she's no poet), but the usage is fine grammatically.






            share|improve this answer
























            • So...If we take the phrase 'Megan put her bird in its cage.' and turn it into 'Megan in its cage put her bird.' it is still correct even after the transformation?

              – Through The Wonders
              7 hours ago













            • No, it's incorrect, but the primary issue is the use of a pronoun before the thing it refers to.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              6 hours ago











            • Otherwise, the placement is grammatically correct, if stylistically distinct and not common in styles of writing that privilege clarity.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              6 hours ago











            • Does treating the prepositional phrase as the adjectival phrase really works? It's really important because it changes the meaning.

              – Through The Wonders
              4 hours ago











            • It works because this is one of the things prepositional phrases commonly do, as "a ray of moonlight through the branches above" forms a larger noun phrase, and "speed of light through a vacuum" forms a larger noun phrase.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              4 hours ago
















            1














            Rowling's version is fine grammatically. Prepositional phrases can serve as adjective phrases as well as adverb phrases, and prepositional phrases modifying verbs can appear before the verb.



            You are right that through, leading a prepositional phrase, tends to follow a verb, whether that would be lit or your hypothetical gerundive shining.



            However, through, like other prepositional phrases, can also follow a noun. In this case, through may modify moonlight directly. Merriam Webster features a pair of examples:




            a highway through the forest



            a road through the desert




            Here's an example from the 2016 novel Promised to the Crown, where "light" is modified by through her cell window without a clear verb correspondent:




            Seeing the dawn light through her cell window proved a disappointment that morning and many afterward.




            In a more scientific context, here's a passage about light transmitted through a vacuum without using a verb like "transmitted":




            The speed of light through a vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 meters per second, or 670,616,629 mph




            In these examples, it is clear that the first noun is somehow moving or being transmitted through the preposition's object. No verb and no rearrangement of the syntax to follow a verb is necessary.





            Even if we wanted to consider "through" as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "lit," moving the phrase "through" to precede the verb occasionally happens in literary use. Samuel Taylor Coleridge affects a lyrical style in Rime of the Ancient Mariner to do just that:




            And every tongue thro' utter drouth / Was wither'd at the root




            Or John Milton in Samson Agonistes:




            If he through frailty err




            The expressions sound distinct, and we could discuss further whether Rowling's style entirely works here (she's no poet), but the usage is fine grammatically.






            share|improve this answer
























            • So...If we take the phrase 'Megan put her bird in its cage.' and turn it into 'Megan in its cage put her bird.' it is still correct even after the transformation?

              – Through The Wonders
              7 hours ago













            • No, it's incorrect, but the primary issue is the use of a pronoun before the thing it refers to.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              6 hours ago











            • Otherwise, the placement is grammatically correct, if stylistically distinct and not common in styles of writing that privilege clarity.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              6 hours ago











            • Does treating the prepositional phrase as the adjectival phrase really works? It's really important because it changes the meaning.

              – Through The Wonders
              4 hours ago











            • It works because this is one of the things prepositional phrases commonly do, as "a ray of moonlight through the branches above" forms a larger noun phrase, and "speed of light through a vacuum" forms a larger noun phrase.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              4 hours ago














            1












            1








            1







            Rowling's version is fine grammatically. Prepositional phrases can serve as adjective phrases as well as adverb phrases, and prepositional phrases modifying verbs can appear before the verb.



            You are right that through, leading a prepositional phrase, tends to follow a verb, whether that would be lit or your hypothetical gerundive shining.



            However, through, like other prepositional phrases, can also follow a noun. In this case, through may modify moonlight directly. Merriam Webster features a pair of examples:




            a highway through the forest



            a road through the desert




            Here's an example from the 2016 novel Promised to the Crown, where "light" is modified by through her cell window without a clear verb correspondent:




            Seeing the dawn light through her cell window proved a disappointment that morning and many afterward.




            In a more scientific context, here's a passage about light transmitted through a vacuum without using a verb like "transmitted":




            The speed of light through a vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 meters per second, or 670,616,629 mph




            In these examples, it is clear that the first noun is somehow moving or being transmitted through the preposition's object. No verb and no rearrangement of the syntax to follow a verb is necessary.





            Even if we wanted to consider "through" as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "lit," moving the phrase "through" to precede the verb occasionally happens in literary use. Samuel Taylor Coleridge affects a lyrical style in Rime of the Ancient Mariner to do just that:




            And every tongue thro' utter drouth / Was wither'd at the root




            Or John Milton in Samson Agonistes:




            If he through frailty err




            The expressions sound distinct, and we could discuss further whether Rowling's style entirely works here (she's no poet), but the usage is fine grammatically.






            share|improve this answer













            Rowling's version is fine grammatically. Prepositional phrases can serve as adjective phrases as well as adverb phrases, and prepositional phrases modifying verbs can appear before the verb.



            You are right that through, leading a prepositional phrase, tends to follow a verb, whether that would be lit or your hypothetical gerundive shining.



            However, through, like other prepositional phrases, can also follow a noun. In this case, through may modify moonlight directly. Merriam Webster features a pair of examples:




            a highway through the forest



            a road through the desert




            Here's an example from the 2016 novel Promised to the Crown, where "light" is modified by through her cell window without a clear verb correspondent:




            Seeing the dawn light through her cell window proved a disappointment that morning and many afterward.




            In a more scientific context, here's a passage about light transmitted through a vacuum without using a verb like "transmitted":




            The speed of light through a vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 meters per second, or 670,616,629 mph




            In these examples, it is clear that the first noun is somehow moving or being transmitted through the preposition's object. No verb and no rearrangement of the syntax to follow a verb is necessary.





            Even if we wanted to consider "through" as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "lit," moving the phrase "through" to precede the verb occasionally happens in literary use. Samuel Taylor Coleridge affects a lyrical style in Rime of the Ancient Mariner to do just that:




            And every tongue thro' utter drouth / Was wither'd at the root




            Or John Milton in Samson Agonistes:




            If he through frailty err




            The expressions sound distinct, and we could discuss further whether Rowling's style entirely works here (she's no poet), but the usage is fine grammatically.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 7 hours ago









            TaliesinMerlinTaliesinMerlin

            4,636926




            4,636926













            • So...If we take the phrase 'Megan put her bird in its cage.' and turn it into 'Megan in its cage put her bird.' it is still correct even after the transformation?

              – Through The Wonders
              7 hours ago













            • No, it's incorrect, but the primary issue is the use of a pronoun before the thing it refers to.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              6 hours ago











            • Otherwise, the placement is grammatically correct, if stylistically distinct and not common in styles of writing that privilege clarity.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              6 hours ago











            • Does treating the prepositional phrase as the adjectival phrase really works? It's really important because it changes the meaning.

              – Through The Wonders
              4 hours ago











            • It works because this is one of the things prepositional phrases commonly do, as "a ray of moonlight through the branches above" forms a larger noun phrase, and "speed of light through a vacuum" forms a larger noun phrase.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              4 hours ago



















            • So...If we take the phrase 'Megan put her bird in its cage.' and turn it into 'Megan in its cage put her bird.' it is still correct even after the transformation?

              – Through The Wonders
              7 hours ago













            • No, it's incorrect, but the primary issue is the use of a pronoun before the thing it refers to.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              6 hours ago











            • Otherwise, the placement is grammatically correct, if stylistically distinct and not common in styles of writing that privilege clarity.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              6 hours ago











            • Does treating the prepositional phrase as the adjectival phrase really works? It's really important because it changes the meaning.

              – Through The Wonders
              4 hours ago











            • It works because this is one of the things prepositional phrases commonly do, as "a ray of moonlight through the branches above" forms a larger noun phrase, and "speed of light through a vacuum" forms a larger noun phrase.

              – TaliesinMerlin
              4 hours ago

















            So...If we take the phrase 'Megan put her bird in its cage.' and turn it into 'Megan in its cage put her bird.' it is still correct even after the transformation?

            – Through The Wonders
            7 hours ago







            So...If we take the phrase 'Megan put her bird in its cage.' and turn it into 'Megan in its cage put her bird.' it is still correct even after the transformation?

            – Through The Wonders
            7 hours ago















            No, it's incorrect, but the primary issue is the use of a pronoun before the thing it refers to.

            – TaliesinMerlin
            6 hours ago





            No, it's incorrect, but the primary issue is the use of a pronoun before the thing it refers to.

            – TaliesinMerlin
            6 hours ago













            Otherwise, the placement is grammatically correct, if stylistically distinct and not common in styles of writing that privilege clarity.

            – TaliesinMerlin
            6 hours ago





            Otherwise, the placement is grammatically correct, if stylistically distinct and not common in styles of writing that privilege clarity.

            – TaliesinMerlin
            6 hours ago













            Does treating the prepositional phrase as the adjectival phrase really works? It's really important because it changes the meaning.

            – Through The Wonders
            4 hours ago





            Does treating the prepositional phrase as the adjectival phrase really works? It's really important because it changes the meaning.

            – Through The Wonders
            4 hours ago













            It works because this is one of the things prepositional phrases commonly do, as "a ray of moonlight through the branches above" forms a larger noun phrase, and "speed of light through a vacuum" forms a larger noun phrase.

            – TaliesinMerlin
            4 hours ago





            It works because this is one of the things prepositional phrases commonly do, as "a ray of moonlight through the branches above" forms a larger noun phrase, and "speed of light through a vacuum" forms a larger noun phrase.

            – TaliesinMerlin
            4 hours ago











            1














            The prepositional phrase is adverbial, and it is right where it belongs. Compare:




            Every now and then a ray of moonlight faintly lit a spot of silver
            blue blood on the fallen leaves.




            with




            Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver
            blue blood on the fallen leaves.
            The grammar is the same.







            share|improve this answer


























            • Sorry, I don't know how the delete thing works. My deleted comment appears on my screen, maybe not on others'. But since someone upvoted my answer, I guess I should make it available. I would amend it to say that treating the prepositional phrase as adjectival works, too.

              – remarkl
              5 hours ago











            • Ok. We've got this: 'A ray lit a spot through the branches' and this: 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' I reckon that both examples modify the verb 'lit' If I say 'A ray shining through the branches' then it indeed modifies 'a ray', because it's an adjective clause.

              – Through The Wonders
              5 hours ago


















            1














            The prepositional phrase is adverbial, and it is right where it belongs. Compare:




            Every now and then a ray of moonlight faintly lit a spot of silver
            blue blood on the fallen leaves.




            with




            Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver
            blue blood on the fallen leaves.
            The grammar is the same.







            share|improve this answer


























            • Sorry, I don't know how the delete thing works. My deleted comment appears on my screen, maybe not on others'. But since someone upvoted my answer, I guess I should make it available. I would amend it to say that treating the prepositional phrase as adjectival works, too.

              – remarkl
              5 hours ago











            • Ok. We've got this: 'A ray lit a spot through the branches' and this: 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' I reckon that both examples modify the verb 'lit' If I say 'A ray shining through the branches' then it indeed modifies 'a ray', because it's an adjective clause.

              – Through The Wonders
              5 hours ago
















            1












            1








            1







            The prepositional phrase is adverbial, and it is right where it belongs. Compare:




            Every now and then a ray of moonlight faintly lit a spot of silver
            blue blood on the fallen leaves.




            with




            Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver
            blue blood on the fallen leaves.
            The grammar is the same.







            share|improve this answer















            The prepositional phrase is adverbial, and it is right where it belongs. Compare:




            Every now and then a ray of moonlight faintly lit a spot of silver
            blue blood on the fallen leaves.




            with




            Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver
            blue blood on the fallen leaves.
            The grammar is the same.








            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 7 hours ago









            Jim

            30.1k862115




            30.1k862115










            answered 7 hours ago









            remarklremarkl

            48019




            48019













            • Sorry, I don't know how the delete thing works. My deleted comment appears on my screen, maybe not on others'. But since someone upvoted my answer, I guess I should make it available. I would amend it to say that treating the prepositional phrase as adjectival works, too.

              – remarkl
              5 hours ago











            • Ok. We've got this: 'A ray lit a spot through the branches' and this: 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' I reckon that both examples modify the verb 'lit' If I say 'A ray shining through the branches' then it indeed modifies 'a ray', because it's an adjective clause.

              – Through The Wonders
              5 hours ago





















            • Sorry, I don't know how the delete thing works. My deleted comment appears on my screen, maybe not on others'. But since someone upvoted my answer, I guess I should make it available. I would amend it to say that treating the prepositional phrase as adjectival works, too.

              – remarkl
              5 hours ago











            • Ok. We've got this: 'A ray lit a spot through the branches' and this: 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' I reckon that both examples modify the verb 'lit' If I say 'A ray shining through the branches' then it indeed modifies 'a ray', because it's an adjective clause.

              – Through The Wonders
              5 hours ago



















            Sorry, I don't know how the delete thing works. My deleted comment appears on my screen, maybe not on others'. But since someone upvoted my answer, I guess I should make it available. I would amend it to say that treating the prepositional phrase as adjectival works, too.

            – remarkl
            5 hours ago





            Sorry, I don't know how the delete thing works. My deleted comment appears on my screen, maybe not on others'. But since someone upvoted my answer, I guess I should make it available. I would amend it to say that treating the prepositional phrase as adjectival works, too.

            – remarkl
            5 hours ago













            Ok. We've got this: 'A ray lit a spot through the branches' and this: 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' I reckon that both examples modify the verb 'lit' If I say 'A ray shining through the branches' then it indeed modifies 'a ray', because it's an adjective clause.

            – Through The Wonders
            5 hours ago







            Ok. We've got this: 'A ray lit a spot through the branches' and this: 'a ray through the branches lit a spot' I reckon that both examples modify the verb 'lit' If I say 'A ray shining through the branches' then it indeed modifies 'a ray', because it's an adjective clause.

            – Through The Wonders
            5 hours ago













            -2














            through the branches above is participle-like, cp. the hat of the man (standing) in front of the store was ...



            to through can become a verb, I guess.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 5





              Seriously, what are you talking about? What you're saying makes no sense at all.

              – Robusto
              7 hours ago
















            -2














            through the branches above is participle-like, cp. the hat of the man (standing) in front of the store was ...



            to through can become a verb, I guess.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 5





              Seriously, what are you talking about? What you're saying makes no sense at all.

              – Robusto
              7 hours ago














            -2












            -2








            -2







            through the branches above is participle-like, cp. the hat of the man (standing) in front of the store was ...



            to through can become a verb, I guess.






            share|improve this answer













            through the branches above is participle-like, cp. the hat of the man (standing) in front of the store was ...



            to through can become a verb, I guess.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 9 hours ago









            vectoryvectory

            2038




            2038








            • 5





              Seriously, what are you talking about? What you're saying makes no sense at all.

              – Robusto
              7 hours ago














            • 5





              Seriously, what are you talking about? What you're saying makes no sense at all.

              – Robusto
              7 hours ago








            5




            5





            Seriously, what are you talking about? What you're saying makes no sense at all.

            – Robusto
            7 hours ago





            Seriously, what are you talking about? What you're saying makes no sense at all.

            – Robusto
            7 hours ago










            Through The Wonders is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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            Through The Wonders is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













            Through The Wonders is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












            Through The Wonders is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















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