Kai
Hi friends, I would like to know if the meaning of the sentence will change if I position the adverb differently in the sentence. I think different adverb positioning can change the meaning of a sentence. Just not in this case though (just my personal opinion). 1. A. This is entirely not a bad thing. B. This is not entirely a bad thing. C. This is not an entirely bad thing.
2023년 3월 13일 오전 4:25
답변 · 5
1
As adverbs, "entirely" and "not" are able to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. In A, "entirely" modifies the verb "is" and "not" modifies the adjective "bad". In B, "entirely" modifies the verb "is" and "not" modifies the adverb "entirely". In C, "entirely" modifies the adjective "bad" and "not" modifies the verb "is".
2023년 3월 13일
1
Yes, the positioning of the adverb "entirely" can change the meaning of the sentence slightly. In sentence A, "entirely" modifies "not a bad thing," indicating that the speaker thinks the thing is mostly positive or at least neutral, rather than completely negative. In sentence B, "not entirely" modifies "a bad thing," suggesting that the thing has some negative aspects, but it's not entirely negative. In sentence C, "an entirely bad thing" is being negated by "not," indicating that the thing has some positive aspects, but it's not completely good. Therefore, even though the overall meaning of the sentences is similar, there are slight differences in emphasis and implication depending on the placement of the adverb.
2023년 3월 13일
아직도 답을 찾지 못하셨나요?
질문을 남겨보세요. 원어민이 도움을 줄 수 있을 거예요!
Kai
언어 구사 능력
중국어(북경어), 중국어(광동어), 중국어(호키엔어), 영어, 인도네시아어, 말레이어, 러시아어
학습 언어
중국어(광동어), 영어, 인도네시아어, 말레이어, 러시아어