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Hole One a New See Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
'I still haven't finished it.'
Hi everybody,
The problematic part is this sentence: 'I still haven't finished it.'. I can give it an appropriate translation but I can't understand fully the position of 'still'. I only use it because I got used to it. As far as I understood, it could take another position in the sentence (maybe not in this sentence, I don't know) based on emphasis-related stuffs.
I could imagine: 'I haven't still finished it.'
Maybe: I have still not finished it. -> This one sounds bad for me but I can't explain why.
There is this sentence: "I only use it because I got used to it."
What is the grammatical name of 'only'? I think it is an adverb but even if it is true I can't identify the type of it. I just would like to identify its position in the sentence very well. I checked this page:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/word-order/adverb-position
but it wasn't enough.
I know, it is two questions, but I didn't want to open a new post for the second.
I would like to be able to identify the position all the adverbs but I didn't find an appropriate (full) description for it.
Thanks for your help in advance.
The problematic part is this sentence: 'I still haven't finished it.'. I can give it an appropriate translation but I can't understand fully the position of 'still'. I only use it because I got used to it. As far as I understood, it could take another position in the sentence (maybe not in this sentence, I don't know) based on emphasis-related stuffs.
I could imagine: 'I haven't still finished it.'
Maybe: I have still not finished it. -> This one sounds bad for me but I can't explain why.
There is this sentence: "I only use it because I got used to it."
What is the grammatical name of 'only'? I think it is an adverb but even if it is true I can't identify the type of it. I just would like to identify its position in the sentence very well. I checked this page:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/word-order/adverb-position
but it wasn't enough.
I know, it is two questions, but I didn't want to open a new post for the second.
I would like to be able to identify the position all the adverbs but I didn't find an appropriate (full) description for it.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Top answer
Hi, Hole One a New See Maybe: I have still not finished it. -> This one sounds bad for me but I can't explain why. Yes, it sounds a bit strange to my ear too, but I can't come up with a good argument why it has to precede the finite verb (have).
- Hi, Hole One a New See Maybe: I have still not finished it.
- -> This one sounds bad for me but I can't explain why.
- Yes, it sounds a bit strange to my ear too, but I can't come up with a good argument why it has to precede the finite verb (have).
- Except maybe that it has something to do with modification.
- Since 'have' plays an important role in this particular sentence – because it adds the perfective meaning/aspect – it seems that if you place the modifying adverb (still) after it, have loses its strength.
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14 Answers
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Hi,
Hole One a New SeeMaybe: I have still not finished it. -> This one sounds bad for me but I can't explain why.Yes, it sounds a bit strange to my ear too, but I can't come up with a good argument why it has to precede the finite verb (have). Except maybe that it has something to do with modification. Since 'have' plays an important role in this particular
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I still haven't finished it. This show a bit of frustration if the adverb STILL is emphasized.
I haven't finished it yet. This one has the same meaning, but lacks the element of frustration.
The adverbs, still and yet, are more fixed in position than other adverbs.
I haven't yet finished it. (possible, but it sounds funny.)
These can be used as a follow-up t
I haven't finished it yet. This one has the same meaning, but lacks the element of frustration.
The adverbs, still and yet, are more fixed in position than other adverbs.
I haven't yet finished it. (possible, but it sounds funny.)
These can be used as a follow-up t
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Hole One a New SeeThere is this sentence: "I only use it because I got used to it."What is the grammatical name of 'only'? I think it is an adverb but even if it is true I can't identify the type of it. I just would like to identify its position in the sentence very well. I checked this page:Here is the usage note in
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Thank you.
Position of 'still' is just strange. What is 'still' exactly? I thought adverbs (except adverbs of time, place, manner) (but for example adverbs of frequency) is between the auxiliary ('have' in my example) and the simple verb ('finish' in my example) (if there are auxiliary verb and simple verb too). Can we surely say that 'I haven't still finished it.' is not a possibility? (
Position of 'still' is just strange. What is 'still' exactly? I thought adverbs (except adverbs of time, place, manner) (but for example adverbs of frequency) is between the auxiliary ('have' in my example) and the simple verb ('finish' in my example) (if there are auxiliary verb and simple verb too). Can we surely say that 'I haven't still finished it.' is not a possibility? (
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Still and yet are time-related adverbs (in this context).
It is useful to consult a dictionary:
adverb
10. at this or that time; as previously: Are you still here?
11. up to this or that time; as yet: A day before departure we were still lacking an itinerary.
12. in the future as in the past: Objections will still be made.
The example sentences show "still" between th
It is useful to consult a dictionary:
adverb
10. at this or that time; as previously: Are you still here?
11. up to this or that time; as yet: A day before departure we were still lacking an itinerary.
12. in the future as in the past: Objections will still be made.
The example sentences show "still" between th
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To tell the truth, I always check the dictionary before I write a post. But dictionary doesn't say only: adverb. It doesn't describe it more. So I can't always identify obviously whether it is 'time', 'manner', 'frequency', etc.. This series wasn't a good example, but you can understand my problem.
I also try to find a categorization on the web every time. I check my grammar books (e.g. G
I also try to find a categorization on the web every time. I check my grammar books (e.g. G
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I just saw the second part after I wrote my comment.
Interesting (I mean, the explanation).
Can you say something like: 'I haven't just started it.'? It doesn't make much sense but can it be grammatically correct?
Interesting (I mean, the explanation).
Can you say something like: 'I haven't just started it.'? It doesn't make much sense but can it be grammatically correct?
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Hole One a New SeeYou wrote: 'time-related'. Does it mean that we can't unambiguously categorize this adverb?You can only categorize an adverb in its context. Many words have different meanings.
He is as rich as Croesus; still he wants more and more. (still = nevertheless, in spite of that. There is no direct connection to time here.)
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