Four-word phrases are not difficult to compose or master.
I furnish below, in the box a set of four-word phrases. The phrases have one common thread.
The first word, mostly, is a noun.
The second word, you will find, is the preposition 'of'' .
Of , often indicates a possessive case relationship between the word preceding the preposition and of's object.
We, can now, recollect how the possessive adjective 'apostrophe+'s' ' and 'of + its object' work.
e.g. : Obama's wife. (Apostrophe + s is used, in cases of a living person/thing's possessions. There are some exceptions.)
'Of preposition + its object' is the chosen possessive case, in case of inanimate objects.
E.g. Liberation of diverse energies.
Preservation of ancient buildings.
Observation : We should, normally, get a three-word-phrase in this construction.
We are getting a four-word-phrase construction, because the object has an additional adjective: 'diverse, ancient etc.'.=
The phrase 'of diverse energies' describes liberation. 'Of ancient buildings' describes 'preservation'.
We can call this, from one perspective, as adjectival phrase. 'Of ancient buildings' is the adjectival phrase which describes the noun 'preservation'.
My humble personal view
Mastering three / four /five word-phrases we can consider as , ' as important as building active and passive vocabulary'.
Reason : Phrases facilitate modular costruction of sentences. Good long phrases work like prefabricated building blocks which have revolutionized the construction sector. Bricks yield their place to blocks. Words slowly lose their place to phrases.
USAGE QUIZ
| 1<> Liberation of diverse energies |
| 2<> Preservation of ancient buildings |
| 3<> abolition of class domination |
| 4<> accumulation of single propositions |
| 5<> attainment of higher education |
| 6<> attribution of infinite dimensions |
| 7<> destruction of human liberties |
| 8<> distinction of their destinies |
| 9<> enjoyability of sexual intercourse |
| 10<> environment of unbelief pervades |
| 11<> execution of huge projects |
| 12<> foundation of domestic happiness |
| 13<> foundation of political happiness |
| 14<> indication of great abilities |
| 15<> instrument of eternal happiness |
| 16<> investigation of natural phenomena |
| 17<> prohibition of them constitutes |
| 18<> supposition of possessing something |
| 19<> terseness of their expression |
| 20<> treatment of cardiopulmonary ailments |
| 21<> veneration of intellectually penetrating |
| 22<> vulgarization of noble theories |
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the choice box<> Hover your mouse over the blank to see the suggested answer
| 1. ____s of free nations, should be our top priority. |
| 2. ____ngs tantamounts to preservation of fame . |
| 3. Concentration of power is what always precedes the____. |
| 4. I greatly appreciate your____trating books. |
| 5. It should be possible to every capable child the____on. |
| 6. Setbacks and cost overruns are common in the____. |
| 7. Sex and Happiness : The enjoyability of sexual intercourse , as an____ is suspect . |
| 8. Sex and Happiness : The____se , as an instrument of eternal happiness , is suspect . |
| 9. The only failure a man ought to fear is failure in cleaving to the purpose he sees to be the best. Every man who observes vigilantly, and resolves steadfastly, grows unconsciously into genius. Perseverance is not always an____. |
| 10. We find many things to which the____s the only temptation. |
| 11. Where can we find the unexampled____ies. |
| 12. Suicide itself, that fearful abuse of the dominion of the soul over the body, is a strong proof of the____. |
| 13. The____ to the human mind is a part of human imagination . |
| 14. We really know very little and are all fallible in facing the immense difficulties presented by____a . |
| 15.Does democracy aim at____. |
| 16.Family Lives : The____ is faith in the virtue of woman. . |
| 17.He specialises in____ary ailments . |
| 18.Histories and Philosophies of Sciences : The most lofty fabrics of science are formed by the continued____ions. . |
| 19.Philosophies of Politics : The____ness is confidence in the integrity of man. . |
| 20.Prides and Prejudices : All affectations proceed from the____ething better than the rest of the world possesses. |
| 21.Selected thoughts depend for their flavor upon the____. |
| 22.Social Behaviors : An____s every moment. This is particularly true in monetary matters. |
HERE ARE FOUR EXAMPLES OF "FOUR=WORD OF-PREPOSITION PHRASES" FROM 'A STUDY IN SCARLET' OF SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
| 1<> combination of unforeseen circumstances |
| 2<> exactness of their learning |
| 3<> presence of death inspires |
| 4<> recognition of their services |
| 5<> significance of this discovery |
| 1. His intention had been to be absent a year at the most, but a____s prevented his leaving the mines for nearly five. |
| 2. Desultory readers are seldom remarkable for the____lt. |
| 3. Holmes walked in, and I followed him with that subdued feeling at my heart which the____. |
| 4. It is expected that a testimonial of some sort will be presented to the two officers as a fitting____ices." . |
| 5. No doubt you see the____overy of mine?" "It is interesting, chemically, no doubt," I answered. |
