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SuperESL Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
At first
Can "at first" be used to modify adjectives? as in:
"These at first brutal tactics were later abandoned."
I am sure 'initially' is a better choice, but I am interested to know if 'at first' used in this way is outright unacceptable.
Thank you.
"These at first brutal tactics were later abandoned."
I am sure 'initially' is a better choice, but I am interested to know if 'at first' used in this way is outright unacceptable.
Thank you.
Top answer
I'm familiar with this usage. I don't find it unacceptable in general, but I don't think it's a good choice in this particular case. The noun which is being modified is [these] tactics.
- I'm familiar with this usage.
- I don't find it unacceptable in general, but I don't think it's a good choice in this particular case.
- The noun which is being modified is [these] tactics.
- If " these tactics" were abandoned, were they brutal up to the point at which they were abandoned, or only during the "early days" of their use?
- I think the sentence misses its mark.
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2 Answers
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I'm familiar with this usage. I don't find it unacceptable in general, but I don't think it's a good choice in this particular case.
The noun which is being modified is [these] tactics.
If "these tactics" were abandoned, were they brutal up to the point at which they were abandoned, or only during the "early days" of their use?
I think the sentence misses its m
The noun which is being modified is [these] tactics.
If "these tactics" were abandoned, were they brutal up to the point at which they were abandoned, or only during the "early days" of their use?
I think the sentence misses its m
00
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