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Navitasan Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Afterthought?
1-He plays the guitar, as his brother does.
2-He plays the guitar, like his brother.
These sentences would normally mean:
a-He plays the guitar and so does his brother.
It seems to me that the sentences could also mean:
b-He plays the guitar the same way his brother does.
.
I always thought that in this case, the part after the comma has been added as an afterthought. I thought they could only reflect spoken language. But could these sentences not be used if we have two focal points? I want to say that he plays the guitar and also that he plays it like his brother. In that case, they would be acceptable in written formal English as well.
Gratefully,
Navi.
2-He plays the guitar, like his brother.
These sentences would normally mean:
a-He plays the guitar and so does his brother.
It seems to me that the sentences could also mean:
b-He plays the guitar the same way his brother does.
.
I always thought that in this case, the part after the comma has been added as an afterthought. I thought they could only reflect spoken language. But could these sentences not be used if we have two focal points? I want to say that he plays the guitar and also that he plays it like his brother. In that case, they would be acceptable in written formal English as well.
Gratefully,
Navi.
Top answer
I would understand both those sentences to mean (a). Without the comma, (2) could mean (b). Without the comma, (1) could also mean (b) in theory, but actually "as" is now not often used in that way.
- I would understand both those sentences to mean (a).
- Without the comma, (2) could mean (b).
- Without the comma, (1) could also mean (b) in theory, but actually "as" is now not often used in that way.
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1 Answers
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I would understand both those sentences to mean (a).
Without the comma, (2) could mean (b). Without the comma, (1) could also mean (b) in theory, but actually "as" is now not often used in that way.
Without the comma, (2) could mean (b). Without the comma, (1) could also mean (b) in theory, but actually "as" is now not often used in that way.
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