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Should "also" be placed before "can" or after "can"? For instance, He also can speak English. He can also speak English. Which one is more frequently used and which is one is grammatically correct? Thanks in advance.
20 déc. 2020 04:22
Réponses · 6
2
Generally, the standard word order is as follows: Put 'also' before a main verb: I also have a cat. I also enjoy going for walks. Put 'also' after the verb 'be': It is also quite expensive. Put 'also' between the auxiliary verb and the main verb: I can also speak Spanish. I have also been to Greece. However, you can change the position of 'also' to change the emphasis. He can also speak English - emphasises that he can speak English in addition to another language. He ALSO can speak English - emphasises that he, in addition to another person, can speak English, or states very stronglt hat he speaks English.
20 décembre 2020
1
Detailed explanations and answers, for which I thank you so greatly. Thank you Clarie, Adrian, Johny, Lori and Joshua.
21 décembre 2020
I agree with what Claire has said, but would suggest a slightly different form. Where you are stating that he, as well as other people, is able to do something, use the word ‘too’, which has the same meaning: ‘He too can speak English’. If you are saying that, in addition to his own language, or other languages, he can speak English, then place ‘also’ after ‘can’ : ‘he can also speak English’. You cannot use ‘too’ directly after ‘can’ unless the sentence finishes at that point i.e. ‘he can too’, which is short for ‘he can do that too’. This form is equivalent to placing ‘also’ at the end of the sentence: ‘he can speak English also’, or ‘he can speak English too’ i.e. he can speak English as well as other languages. To summarise: ‘too’ or ‘also’ before the modal verb - in relation to other people ; ‘also’ directly after the modal, or either ‘too’ or ‘also’ at the end of the sentence - in relation to other languages.
20 décembre 2020
It should go after the modal.
20 décembre 2020
Also is generally best placed after the verb. 🙂
20 décembre 2020
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