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Fire1 Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Can adverbs be used to modify auxiliary verbs for emphasizing auxiliary verbs?

Hi, I wonder whether adverbs can modify auxiliary verbs for emphasizing auxiliary verbs.

For example,

1.I always can do that on my own.

2.I can always do that on my own.

3.I really can't wait to meet you.

4.I can't really wait to meet you.

Are "always" and "really" emphasizing the meaning of "can" and "can't" in 1 and 3?

And are there any differences in meaning between 1 and 2, and 3 and 4?

  

Top answer

fire1 Hi, I wonder whether adverbs can modify auxiliary verbs for emphasizing auxiliary verbs. ) Adverb placement is flexible, but not entirely without rules. These seem the best placement to my ear.

— AlpheccaStars

  • fire1 Hi, I wonder whether adverbs can modify auxiliary verbs for emphasizing auxiliary verbs.
  • ) Adverb placement is flexible, but not entirely without rules.
  • These seem the best placement to my ear.
  • I can always do that on my own.
  • I really can't wait to meet you.
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2 Answers
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fire1Hi, I wonder whether adverbs can modify auxiliary verbs for emphasizing auxiliary verbs.

Adverbs modify the lexical verb (It carries the meaning.) Adverb placement is flexible, but not entirely without rules. These seem the best placement to my ear.

2.I can always do that on my own.
3.I really can't wait to meet you.

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"really" with a negative can be problematic. In many situations its position makes a slight difference in the meaning.

I really can't ... (really not) is an emphatic negative like "I absolutely can't ..." or "It is definitely impossible for me to ...".

I can't really ... (not really) is a weak negative, almost a partial negative like "I can't completely ..." or "I ca

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