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Can I say;

Keep your neck in a position that is curved forward.

Instead of

Keep your neck in a position in which it is curved forward.

In the first sentence it sounds “that” suggests that the position itself is curved, not the neck but what I couldn’t understand is that when we say “in a curved position” “curved” modifies “position” it means position itself curved and in my phrase” in a position that is curved” “curved” modifies “position” in the same way. I couldn’t understand why we can’t say in a position that is curved while saying in a curved position.

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  • lean your head forward and keep this position ?
    – Vickel
    Dec 30, 2021 at 19:02
  • Bend your neck forward.
    – Lambie
    Dec 30, 2021 at 19:26

2 Answers 2

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5

Either one would be understood.

Better would be to simplify further and say something like, "keep your neck curved forward".

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-3

I would say "curved" in this context is not idiomatic. The correct word to use is "bowed". So the correct phrasing would be:

Keep your neck bowed.

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  • 2
    All my teacher and other native speaker whom I asked could easily understand what I tried to say but I can’t understood how you concluded I am enforcing subjection. Thanks for this interesting answer.
    – language learner
    Dec 30, 2021 at 20:05
  • @language learner: Because often 'bowing a neck' means exactly that as well as oppression, bondage and enslavement.
    – Mozibur Ullah
    Dec 30, 2021 at 20:08

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