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Fire1 Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

Can an adverb modify a noun phrase?

A. "this is really a happy marriage"

As for sentence A, is it correct to grammatically analyze the adverb "really" as modifying the noun phrase "a happy marriage"?

I have already done some research and found the information that an adverb can modify a noun phrase, so I think that in sentence A, the adverb "really" does modify the noun phrase "a happy marriage".

What do you think?

  

Top answer

Hi My personal view is that, in the sentence you give, 'really' is either modifying 'is' or it is slightly misplaced and is modifying 'happy' (in either case, it fulfils the ordinary role of an adverb) - Is that the truth? - It really is. That's an example of how 'really' can modify 'is' - I'd say it's an emphasizer.

— Dave_anon

  • Hi My personal view is that, in the sentence you give, 'really' is either modifying 'is' or it is slightly misplaced and is modifying 'happy' (in either case, it fulfils the ordinary role of an adverb) - Is that the truth?
  • - It really is.
  • That's an example of how 'really' can modify 'is' - I'd say it's an emphasizer.
  • - It's a really happy marriage.
  • ) Finally, if we wanted to attach the word to the marriage, we might say: - They've been together happily for 40 years: that's a real marriage!
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3 Answers
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Hi

My personal view is that, in the sentence you give, 'really' is either modifying 'is' or it is slightly misplaced and is modifying 'happy' (in either case, it fulfils the ordinary role of an adverb)

- Is that the truth?

- It really is.

That's an example of how 'really' can modify 'is' - I'd say it's an emphasizer.

- It's a really happy marriage.

(Straight

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fire1 Can an adverb modify a noun phrase?

The whole concept of an adverb modifying a noun or noun phrase is basically just a horrible fudge that has arisen because no one can think of any better explanation.

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This is really a happy marriage.

No; "really" is not modifying the noun phrase "a happy marriage", but it is a modifier in the copular verb phrase.

Note, though, that adverbs can freely modify noun phrases:

[1] I'm [virtually her only friend].

[2] I bought [almost the last copy].

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