The main point of the keyword phrase "september 11th lives lost" is the noun "lives". In this construction, "lives" serves as the head of the noun phrase, representing the central subject of the topic. The other words in the phrase act as modifiers that specify and describe this core noun.
A grammatical analysis of the phrase reveals a specific structure. "September 11th" is a proper noun phrase functioning as an adjectival modifier, specifying the particular context or event associated with the lives. "Lost" is a past participle that functions as a postpositive adjective, meaning it follows the noun it modifies. This adjectival use of "lost" describes the state or condition of the "lives". The entire phrase operates as a cohesive noun phrase, syntactically equivalent to "the lives that were lost on September 11th".
Recognizing "lives" as the key noun is crucial for article development because it establishes the primary focus on the human elementthe individuals and the human toll of the event. This grammatical understanding directs the article's narrative and analytical lens toward the victims and the consequences of their loss, rather than focusing solely on the event ("September 11th") as an abstract concept. The main point is therefore not the date or the action of losing, but the people who were lost.