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Believer Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Cases of using 'little' adverally
0 Hi, 02 br
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00 When you are using the word and phrase like 'little' or 'a little' adverbally (like below), how inserting an object make the sentence different? 02 br
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01 i 00 1. Please open a little. (Looks to be fine, seems to be from a positive-polarity view point) 02 i 02 br
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01 i 00 2. Please open little. (Looks fine too, seems to be from a negative-polarity view point) 02 i 02 br
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00 Then, let me put a direct object, which, in this situation, is the 'window', to them. 02 br
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01 i 00 3. Please open the window a little (bit). (Looks good and a positive-polarity view seems to prevail here too.) 02 i 02 br
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01 i 00 4. Please open the window little. (Doesn't look good and doesn't seem like a correct sentence.) 02 i 02 br
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00 My Q: A dictionary of mine seems to indicate 'a little' and 'little' as adjectives and adverbs both, then shouldn't all 4 sentences be valid since that word and phrase are functioning as adverbs in all 4 instances? 0-
02 br
00 When you are using the word and phrase like 'little' or 'a little' adverbally (like below), how inserting an object make the sentence different? 02 br
02 br
01 i 00 1. Please open a little. (Looks to be fine, seems to be from a positive-polarity view point) 02 i 02 br
02 br
01 i 00 2. Please open little. (Looks fine too, seems to be from a negative-polarity view point) 02 i 02 br
02 br
00 Then, let me put a direct object, which, in this situation, is the 'window', to them. 02 br
02 br
01 i 00 3. Please open the window a little (bit). (Looks good and a positive-polarity view seems to prevail here too.) 02 i 02 br
02 br
01 i 00 4. Please open the window little. (Doesn't look good and doesn't seem like a correct sentence.) 02 i 02 br
02 br
00 My Q: A dictionary of mine seems to indicate 'a little' and 'little' as adjectives and adverbs both, then shouldn't all 4 sentences be valid since that word and phrase are functioning as adverbs in all 4 instances? 0-
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1 Answers
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0 "Please open a little." seems fine because the speaker is referring to you understood (imperative sentence) and wanted you to open up a little (referring to your emotions/thoughts). 0-
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