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Taka Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
At least
I would at least like to listen to what Tom says/I would at least like to pay attention to what Tom says.
I would like at least to listen to what Tom says/I would like at least to pay attention to what Tom says.
I would like to listen at least to what Tom says/I would like to pay attention at least to what Tom says.
I would like to listen to at least what Tom says/I would like to pay attention to at least what Tom says.
If the message was that Tom's words are something I really can't miss, which position of 'at least' is the best and which is acceptable among them above?
I would like at least to listen to what Tom says/I would like at least to pay attention to what Tom says.
I would like to listen at least to what Tom says/I would like to pay attention at least to what Tom says.
I would like to listen to at least what Tom says/I would like to pay attention to at least what Tom says.
If the message was that Tom's words are something I really can't miss, which position of 'at least' is the best and which is acceptable among them above?
Top answer
The first two have your intended meaning, and the first is the best. The last two mean something different - they imply there are other possible speakers than Tom, and you want to make sure you listen to Tom, even if you don't listen to the others.
- The first two have your intended meaning, and the first is the best.
- The last two mean something different - they imply there are other possible speakers than Tom, and you want to make sure you listen to Tom, even if you don't listen to the others.
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5 Answers
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The first two have your intended meaning, and the first is the best.
The last two mean something different - they imply there are other possible speakers than Tom, and you want to make sure you listen to Tom, even if you don't listen to the others.
The last two mean something different - they imply there are other possible speakers than Tom, and you want to make sure you listen to Tom, even if you don't listen to the others.
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OK.
Just for confirmation. Simply from a grammatical point of view, all ot the four work fine?
Just for confirmation. Simply from a grammatical point of view, all ot the four work fine?
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Hi Taka,
Out of context, the basic meaning in all four is similar. However, since the focus of 'at least' is different, they are likely to be used in different contexts. Thus, the meaning is not quite the same.
In your first two versions, the focus of 'at least' is on the action/verb. Thus, the situation could be something like this, for example: Even though I don't expect to
Out of context, the basic meaning in all four is similar. However, since the focus of 'at least' is different, they are likely to be used in different contexts. Thus, the meaning is not quite the same.
In your first two versions, the focus of 'at least' is on the action/verb. Thus, the situation could be something like this, for example: Even though I don't expect to
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