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Bob2010 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
A question about word order
Hi, everyone.
In my opinion, sentence 1 and sentence 2 are semantically same, which means they both refer to a same situation. But they are different as a ‘text’ or ‘discourse’ because of the change of word order. Am I right? So can you show me how they are different? Thanks for your help.
1: An Arab's idea of personal space may even make an Asian uncomfortable. Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath as they talk. Not doing so is disrespectful.
2: An Arab's idea of personal space may even make an Asian uncomfortable. As they talk, Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath. Not doing so is disrespectful.
In my opinion, sentence 1 and sentence 2 are semantically same, which means they both refer to a same situation. But they are different as a ‘text’ or ‘discourse’ because of the change of word order. Am I right? So can you show me how they are different? Thanks for your help.
1: An Arab's idea of personal space may even make an Asian uncomfortable. Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath as they talk. Not doing so is disrespectful.
2: An Arab's idea of personal space may even make an Asian uncomfortable. As they talk, Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath. Not doing so is disrespectful.
Top answer
In sentence 2 as they talk is a little more emphatic since in English emphasis is often achieved by placing a word at the beginning: Now he is reading a book. He is reading a book now . CB
- In sentence 2 as they talk is a little more emphatic since in English emphasis is often achieved by placing a word at the beginning: Now he is reading a book.
- He is reading a book now .
- CB
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7 Answers
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In sentence 2 as they talk is a little more emphatic since in English emphasis is often achieved by placing a word at the beginning:
Now he is reading a book.
He is reading a book now.
CB
Now he is reading a book.
He is reading a book now.
CB
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Bob20101: Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath as they talk.
2: As they talk, Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath. To me, the first placement modifies the verb "to smell." (to smell it as they talk)
The second placement modifies the whole se
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Hi,
1: Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath as they talk.
Sounds like 'they' refers to 'others'. ie "Others do the talking and the Arabs do the smelling . . ."
2: As they talk, Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath. [/quote] To me, the first placement modifies th
1: Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath as they talk.
Sounds like 'they' refers to 'others'. ie "Others do the talking and the Arabs do the smelling . . ."
2: As they talk, Arabs like to stand close enough to breathe on others and smell their breath. [/quote] To me, the first placement modifies th
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Clivenot quite sure if you meant to make this point.Thanks, Clive. Actually I hadn't thought of the possibility of non-Arabs being involved.
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