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New2grammar  #511199  Thu, 08 May 08 01:27 PM

I can see James in the [far/distant] mountain with this telescope.

Can far be used to modify a noun? If yes, what's the difference between far and distant in this context?

Thanks
  
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Clive  #511203  Thu, 08 May 08 01:34 PM

Hi,

I can see James in the [far/distant] mountain with this telescope.

Can far be used to modify a noun? Yes.

If yes, what's the difference between far and distant in this context? 'Far' is less common, more literary/poetic.

The normal preposition is 'on a mountain' rather than 'in'.

Best wishes, Clive

  
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New2grammar  #511211  Thu, 08 May 08 01:42 PM

The normal preposition is 'on a mountain' rather than 'in'.

Thanks Clive. I think the reason you suggest 'on' is that the sentence says James is visible.

If you can't see the person, which preposition would you use?

Where's Jack? He's [in/on] the mountain somewhere. We lost him an hour ago.

  
Grammar Geek  #511218  Thu, 08 May 08 01:58 PM

You'd still say ON the mountain. You can be up IN the mountainS. On one mountain, in a group of them.

However, your original sentence comes VERY close to one of the class cases of ambiguous modifyers. Who has the telescope? He has it on the mountain and you see that? Or you use it to see him on the mountain? (You avoid that by saying "THIS telescope.")

 
  
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Yankee  #511219  Thu, 08 May 08 01:58 PM
Unless you are sure that Jack had planned on exploring caves in that particular mountain, you would say that Jack is on a particular mountain somewhere -- i.e. whether you can actually see him or not.

However, you can use in if you don't limit Jack's location to one particular mountain -- i.e. Jack is in the mountains. 

 

  
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New2grammar  #511222  Thu, 08 May 08 02:03 PM

Thanks, GG. I was about to ask about the ambiguity. Your edit answers the question I had.
  
New2grammar  #511224  Thu, 08 May 08 02:06 PM

Thanks. Now that I'm clear with the preposition usage, a new problem arises. Actually, I have been having this problem. How do you count mountain? In other words, when to use the plural or singular? Based on the number of peaks?
  
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Grammar Geek  #511227  Thu, 08 May 08 02:13 PM

I like to hike in the White Mountains. (A mountain chain.)

My favorite mountain is Mount Blue. It's a tough mountain to climb, but once you're up there you have a magnificent view of all the surrounding mountains.

Yes, the peaks.

 
  
New2grammar  #511232  Thu, 08 May 08 02:25 PM

Got it. I think you have a typo "touGh mountain". You don't have to reply to this post unless touch is what you meant.

Thanks GG.
  
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