Emphasis

Question

Here's something that's been puzzling me for a very long time:

I like football. --> I do like football.
Jenny went there but... --> Jenny did go there but...

In both examples, emphasised by the auxiliary verb do.

But:

I can do it but... --> ???
She is nice but... --> ???
He will go there but... --> ???

I would solve it by stressing the appropriate word (in spoken language) or by adding italics (in written language)

I can do it but... --> I can do it but...
She is nice but... --> She is nice but...
He will go there but... --> He will go there but...

Is that OK? Are there any different ways to emphasise that?

Can I just add "extra" stress in the first two examples? E.g. Jenny went there but...
If so, what exactly is the difference between Jenny did go there but... and Jenny went there but... ?

I hope someone can figure out what I meant. Sorry for making it so messy.

Thanks in advance, as always.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

You can use "so" to add the emphasis. In fact, I was rereading a thread recently where I had written "I do so own a kettle" and someone has questioned what that meant.

Usually, you would use this as a rebuttal to someone saying that you can't do it (or she isn't nice): I can so do it, she is so nice.

Jenny did go there... carries a sense that there will be a "but" or a "however" following it. Jenny did go, but she didn't see you.

If you want to empahsize that Jenny went (in response to Jenny didn't get to go, did she), you can also use a word like "indeed" - although you may sound a little stuffy. Meanwhile, "sure" is a little informal. She did indeed go. She sure did go. She absolutley DID go.

Pastsimple · Answer

Grammar GeekYou can use "so" to add the emphasis. In fact, I was rereading a thread recently where I had written "I do so own a kettle" and someone has questioned what that meant.

Usually, you would use this as a rebuttal to someone saying that you can't do it (or she isn't nice): I can so do it, she is so nice.

Jenny did go there... carries a sense that there will be a "but" or a "however" following it. Jenny did go, but she didn't see you.

If you want to empahsize that Jenny went (in response to Jenny didn't get to go, did she), you can also use a word like "indeed" - although you may sound a little stuffy. Meanwhile, "sure" is a little informal. She did indeed go. She sure did go. She absolutley DID go.

Thanks for the answer. Some additional questions:

1) I have the impression that the "so" emphasis is American English. Am I right?

2) Jenny did go there... carries a sense that there will be a "but" or a "however" following it. Jenny did go, but she didn't see you.
Does the "so" emphasis carry a sense that there will be a "but" as well? (I do so own a kettle but...) I got the impression that it doesn't.

3) Can I emphasise just by stressing the appropriate word? Example:

A: You can't do it!
B: Mate, I can do it but I just don't want to do it! (Sorry for the "mate" but with Brits around, I use it frequently)

(If it is possible, I think it would be necessary to stress something in the second part of the sentence - want looks like a good choice. Am I right?)

P.S. I think I've read the "kettle" thread. I mean the thread where I learned that some Americans heat water in the microwave.

BarbaraPA · Answer

1) I know it's used in America, but I don't know if it's uniquely used here.

2) Yes, you are correct. There is no expectationi of a "but..." after "Jenny did so go." Although you could include one if appropriate.

3) You sure can. Indeed you can.

PS - Despite Nona and Mr. P.'s thoughts, we're not really a barbarian race - but yes, we do sometimes heat water in the microwave.

It's interesting to see how I use "do heat" as simply an affirmative, emphatic statement, but the "we do so have" was used as a rebuttal to the charge that that we don't. The only time we use "so" simply as an affirmative statement is in a slang manner - Oh, dude, I SO do not want to be at work this afternoon. I am SO ready for the wekend. I do use this in spoken Enlish all the time, but it's quite informal.

Pastsimple · Answer

One of the Brits I know has just told me that I do so own <something> and I can so do it are not acceptable in BrE. He lists I do so like talking to <somebody> as acceptable but I think that this isn't exactly the same usage. In my opinion (and I may be wrong here), I do so like talking to <somebody> means just I like talking to <somebody> really much.

P.S. Off-topic: Every nation has some peculiarities that may be viewed as barbaric by others. I remember seeing a Brit eating a slice of pizza together with rice, fries, bread, salad, eggs and salami, all on one plate. Well, I've eaten it as well. Not bad

. The only barbaric thing about Americans for me isfries with ketchup. Yuck

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