Tommy felt his ascendancy less sure than a moment before.
( Tommy ( ( felt ( ( his ascendancy ) ( less ( sure ( than ( ( a moment ) before ) ) ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (NNP Tommy)) (VP (VBD felt) (S (NP (PRP$ his) (NN ascendancy)) (ADJP (RBR less) (JJ sure) (PP (IN than) (ADVP (NP (DT a) (NN moment)) (IN before)))))) (. .)))
A moment ago his ascendancy was certain.
( ( ( A moment ) ago ) ( ( his ascendancy ) ( ( was certain ) . ) ) )
(ROOT (S (ADVP (NP (DT A) (NN moment)) (RB ago)) (NP (PRP$ his) (NN ascendancy)) (VP (VBD was) (ADJP (JJ certain))) (. .)))