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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Function words and Affixes
I understand that one of the important differences in English, is its ability to use both function words and suffixes, where other languages restrict themselves to one or the other. For example, the English comparative/superlative forms; one uses the suffixes -er/-est and the other uses the function words more/most.
Are there any other common functions in English which can be accomplished both ways, either with a function word or with a suffix tagged on to the end of a word?
Are there any other common functions in English which can be accomplished both ways, either with a function word or with a suffix tagged on to the end of a word?
Top answer
I wouldn't call those function words, but if you wish to, you might consider the 'of' genitive vs the Anglo-Saxon genitive: The tail of the cat was on fire. The cat's tail was on fire . No other alternative phrasings spring to mind offhand.
- I wouldn't call those function words, but if you wish to, you might consider the 'of' genitive vs the Anglo-Saxon genitive: The tail of the cat was on fire.
- The cat's tail was on fire .
- No other alternative phrasings spring to mind offhand.
- Perhaps another member will be more alert.
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1 Answers
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I wouldn't call those function words, but if you wish to, you might consider the 'of' genitive vs the Anglo-Saxon genitive:
The tail of the cat was on fire.
The cat's tail was on fire.
No other alternative phrasings spring to mind offhand. Perhaps another member will be more alert.
The tail of the cat was on fire.
The cat's tail was on fire.
No other alternative phrasings spring to mind offhand. Perhaps another member will be more alert.
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