Final answer:
The order of elements within a noun phrase is not absolutely fixed. While there is a canonical order that prefers a certain structure, writers may deviate from this for stylistic reasons such as emphasis or clarity. The canonical order is a guideline rather than an immutable rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is the order of elements within a noun phrase fixed? The short answer is that while there is a preferred canonical order in English sentence structure, this order is not absolutely fixed. Within a noun phrase, typical order would follow a pattern where the determiner comes first, followed by adjectives, and then the noun itself.
However, for stylistic reasons such as emphasis or clarity, or to present information in a certain way, writers might choose to depart from this order. The canonical order serves as a guideline rather than an immutable rule.
Understanding the canonical order of elements can aid in creating cohesive sentences and can help in adding emphasis to particular parts of the sentence when needed.
For example, a prepositional phrase can sometimes come before the main subject for emphasis, even though it typically comes after the verb or at the end of the sentence. Writers often manipulate the order of elements for poetic effect, tonal reasons, or to achieve a certain rhythm in their prose.
The canonical order is a principle that suggests starting new sentences with particular elements to maintain a logical flow and clarity in writing.
However, deviations from this order are permissible and sometimes even desirable, depending on what the writer wishes to achieve in terms of emphasis or style.