OCG533, Fall 2002
Answers to assignment 4, due 16 September 2002
Structure of sentences III: Optimizing noun phrases

To read:
     
Chapter 15 on the structure of noun phrases, especially the relationships between premodifiers and postmodifiers.

To do:
     
Optimize each of the noun phrases below. That means rewrite the phrase to strike the best balance between brevity (proper balance of premodifiers and postmodifiers) and explicitness (maximal use of postmodifiers). Where necessary, explain why you chose the answer you did.

      1. mass transfer rate coefficients

      (Preferred) rate coefficients of mass transfer
     
(Possible) rate coefficients for transfer of mass

      2. the higher PAH input mass rate

      (Preferred) the higher input rate for PAHs
     
(Possible) the higher input rate for mass of PAHs
     
(Possible) the higher rate of input for mass of PAHs

      3. dissolved phase concentrations

      concentrations in the dissolved phase

      4. excess dicarboxylic acid solutions

      solutions with excess dicarboxylic acid

      5. the observed refractive index variation

      (Preferred) the observed variation of the index of refraction
     
(Possible) the observed variation of the refractive index

      6. the writing process leading to the spatial pattern formation

      (Preferred) the writing process that leads to forming spatial patterns
     
(Possible) the writing process that leads to the formation of spatial patterns

      7. the contribution of biological versus physical processes to concentration reduction

      the relative contributions of biological and physical processes to reducing concentrations

      8. clear evidence of either chemically or physically bound water in the IR-sensed surface

      (Preferred) clear IR evidence of water bound chemically or physically in the surface
      (Possible) clear evidence of water bound chemically or physically in the surface sensed by IR

      9. the determination of the depth dependence of hydrogen abundances in the upper meter of the martian regolith

      (Preferred) determining the vertical profile of hydrogen in the uppermost meter of the martian regolith
     
(Minimal change) determining the depth dependence of hydrogen abundance in the upper meter of the martian regolith

      10. carbon mass balance and kinetic data for the total oxidation of cells, spores, and biomolecules deposited on illuminated titanium dioxide surfaces in contact with air

      data on the mass balance of carbon and the kinetics of the total oxidation of cells, spores, and biomolecules deposited on illuminated surfaces of titanium dioxide in contact with air

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