The spear missed Vrenna by only a hand-span.
( ( The spear ) ( ( ( missed Vrenna ) ( by ( only ( a hand-span ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NN spear)) (VP (VBD missed) (NP (NNP Vrenna)) (PP (IN by) (NP (RB only) (DT a) (NN hand-span)))) (. .)))
The spear smacked the man in the face. 
( ( The spear ) ( ( ( smacked ( the man ) ) ( in ( the face ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NN spear)) (VP (VBD smacked) (NP (DT the) (NN man)) (PP (IN in) (NP (DT the) (NN face)))) (. .)))