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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Is this sentence unacceptable?

"He didn't really ignore my request, but he did ignore it to some extent."

A world-famous grammarian says that "really" is unacceptable in that sentence. One must use "completely."

May I have your comments?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

It's a matter of style rather than of grammar. Many native speakers find it completely acceptable. Who was the grammarian, by the way?

— Fivejedjon

  • It's a matter of style rather than of grammar.
  • Many native speakers find it completely acceptable.
  • Who was the grammarian, by the way?
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5 Answers
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It's a matter of style rather than of grammar. Many native speakers find it completely acceptable. Who was the grammarian, by the way?
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James MA world-famous grammarian says that "really" is unacceptable in that sentence. One must use "completely."
That's right. The famous grammarian is correct. It's logical and meaningful to use completely. I would never use really in that sentence. It sounds very odd.

Prajwal
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Thank you for your reply. It was Professor Quirk (page 590 in the 1985 edition).
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Quite amusing that you didn't heed the words of Mr. Quirk! Maybe you thought there are more famous grammarians over here? If so, then sorry for answering that post. I ain't a famous grammarian.
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prajwalkr It's logical and meaningful to use completely.
I agree that it's logical to use 'completely. However, logic is not, in itself, an infallible test of what is accepted in language.
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