Understanding the Grammatical Name and Function of 'Six Years Later'
The expression six years later is a common phrase used in English that conveys the passage of a specified period before an event occurs. Let's explore its grammatical name and function in various contexts.
What is the Grammatical Name of 'Six Years Later'?
Six years later serves as an adverbial phrase in English grammar.
In English, adverbial phrases are descriptive elements that typically modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing information about when, where, why, how, or to what extent an action takes place.
Function of 'Six Years Later'
The primary function of six years later is to specify the time when something happened. It essentially answers the question of when a particular action or event took place relative to a previous point in time.
How Does 'Six Years Later' Functions as an Adverb Phrase?
As an adverb phrase, six years later can be placed in different parts of a sentence, but its main role is to indicate the time at which an event occurred. This phrase can be used to modify an action or event and help set the context for when the action took place.
Example Sentences
Example 1: I applied for a bank loan which was granted six years later.
In this sentence, six years later functions as an adverbial phrase, providing the information about when the loan was granted.
Example 2: After the accident, he decided to get a second opinion from the doctor six years later.
Here, six years later clarifies the timing of the event, indicating when the second opinion was sought.
Common Usage and Grammatical Structure
Adverb phrases like six years later can be used in various parts of a sentence to provide temporal information. They often come at the beginning, end, or within the sentence to modify the verb, adjective, or adverb they are describing. Here are a few more examples:
Example 3: Six years later, the project was finally completed.
Example 4: He did not see his old friend again until six years later.
In both these sentences, six years later provides the temporal context, helping to understand the sequence of events.
Conclusion
The phrase six years later is an adverbial phrase of time, functioning as an adverb in the sentence. It is used to indicate when a particular action or event occurred in relation to a previous point in time. Understanding this phrase’s grammatical name and function can help in crafting clearer and more precise sentences.