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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Trouble with adverbs modifying past participles

In some sentences with past participles, when certain adverbs are appended, some ambiguities can arise.

Example: He is rightly troubled.

Does this mean that he is right to feel troubled, or that the troubling force is right to trouble him? This works with many similar verbs, as frustrate, grieve, saddened, etc.

How can this ambiguity be resolved? Is there anyone who can direct me to writing on the issue?

Thanks
  

Top answer

There should not be any ambiguity, since a sentence like this should not exist in isolation and should always appear in some context. This context will make the meaning clear. However, if the sentence is given in isolation, with no other context, there still should not be any problem with ambiguity, because the meaning that would pop into your head first today would be the first one, that he is right to be troubled.

— Anonymous

  • There should not be any ambiguity, since a sentence like this should not exist in isolation and should always appear in some context.
  • This context will make the meaning clear.
  • However, if the sentence is given in isolation, with no other context, there still should not be any problem with ambiguity, because the meaning that would pop into your head first today would be the first one, that he is right to be troubled.
  • The second meaning, that the trouble is right to trouble him, is rather archaic, 19th century-type of usage that is all but never heard today.
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2 Answers
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There should not be any ambiguity, since a sentence like this should not exist in isolation and should always appear in some context. This context will make the meaning clear.

However, if the sentence is given in isolation, with no other context, there still should not be any problem with ambiguity, because the meaning that would pop into your head first today would be the first one, th
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AnonymousHow can this ambiguity be resolved?
Where context doesn't resolve the ambiguity, rephrase.

He is justifiably troubled. He is justified in feeling troubled. ...
He is deservedly troubled. He deserves to be troubled. ...

CJ
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