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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

completely dark or pich black

Which is natural?
I can only sleep when the room is pitch black.
I can only sleep when the room is completely dark.

Thanks
  

Top answer

Both are natural, and both are perfectly understood. Again, I'll insert my comment about the placement of only . Many approve of its "floating" to the left, but I find it a bit disconcerting.

— Philip

  • Both are natural, and both are perfectly understood.
  • Again, I'll insert my comment about the placement of only .
  • Many approve of its "floating" to the left, but I find it a bit disconcerting.
  • " indicates the necessary condition.
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2 Answers
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Both are natural, and both are perfectly understood. Again, I'll insert my comment about the placement of only. Many approve of its "floating" to the left, but I find it a bit disconcerting. To me, "only sleep" means "all I can do"; "only when the room..." indicates the necessary condition.
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I agree with Philip, I think "only" should be placed between 'sleep' and 'when', not between 'can' and 'sleep'.
As for the descriptions of the condition of darkness, both options are fine.
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