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Prepositional Centipede
Flags sentences with 4+ consecutive prepositional phrases, creating telescoping descriptions that are clunky and hard to visualize.
What It Does
Scans for chains of preposition + noun phrase sequences (e.g., "of the X in the Y at the Z"). Flags when four or more stack up without interruption.
Why It Matters
Telescoping prepositional chains force the reader deeper and deeper into nested spatial relationships. Beyond three levels, most readers lose track of the physical layout being described. Breaking these up with active verbs or restructuring creates clearer mental images.
What Gets Flagged
| Severity | Example | Why | Suggested Revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information | "The book on the table in the room at the end of the hall." | 4 consecutive PPs | "The book sat on the hall table." |
Configuration
No configuration options.
Technical Details
- Source:
prose-craft - Scope: Sentence-level
- Method: POS
IN+ noun head tracking with chain counting