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Hans51 Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Adverbs modify closest verbs?
Is there a rule that adverbs modify closest verbs?
"I cancelled the plan to travel with them on Sunday."
on Sunday must modify travel or it could modify cancelled, depending on context?
So when adverbs modify verbs, it does not matter how close they are and we should decide it, considering context, right?
What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much as usual in advance!
"I cancelled the plan to travel with them on Sunday."
on Sunday must modify travel or it could modify cancelled, depending on context?
So when adverbs modify verbs, it does not matter how close they are and we should decide it, considering context, right?
What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much as usual in advance!
Top answer
Hans51 on Sunday must modify travel or it could modify cancelled, depending on context? It could be either, depending on context.
- Hans51 on Sunday must modify travel or it could modify cancelled, depending on context?
- It could be either, depending on context.
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3 Answers
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Hans51on Sunday must modify travel or it could modify cancelled, depending on context?It could be either, depending on context.
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Hans51So when adverbs modify verbs, it does not matter how close they are and we should decide it, considering context, right?They must be in the vicinity, but they do not necessarily modify the nearest possible referent; hence, the art of good composition.
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Hans51"I cancelled the plan to travel with them on Sunday."If you begin the sentence with on Sunday, the one meaning is perfectly clear.
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