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Navitasan Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Like a baby

1-When he was sick, they took special care of him and pampered him like a baby.
2-When he was sick, they took special care of him and pampered him, like a baby.

3-When he was sick, they took special care of him and pampered him as if he was a baby.
4-When he was sick, they took special care of him and pampered him, as if he was a baby.

In these sentences, can one tell if "like a baby: and "as if he was a baby" modify only "pampered him" or both "pampered him" and "took special care of him"?

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

Going on instinct, I read 1 and 3 such that "like a baby" and "as if he were a baby" modify only "pampered him;" while in 2 and 4 they modify both characterizations. Others may disagree. The effect of the comma may not apply as strictly as in the case of a non-essential clause.

— Avangi

  • Going on instinct, I read 1 and 3 such that "like a baby" and "as if he were a baby" modify only "pampered him;" while in 2 and 4 they modify both characterizations.
  • Others may disagree.
  • The effect of the comma may not apply as strictly as in the case of a non-essential clause.
  • - A.
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1 Answers
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Going on instinct, I read 1 and 3 such that "like a baby" and "as if he were a baby" modify only "pampered him;" while in 2 and 4 they modify both characterizations. Others may disagree.
The effect of the comma may not apply as strictly as in the case of a non-essential clause.

- A.
0

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