What does "always" modify in these sentences?
1. The servants always very badly treated him.
2. The servants always badly treated him.
Q1) Are both sentences 1 and 2 above all correct English?
When I googled “always (very) badly verb”, interestingly, there was a small number of counts for the structure, so I'm asking this question.
Q2) I know the order of the adverbs is unnatural, but even so, is there any possibility that a native English speaker poorly says or writes sentences like sentences 1 and 2?
Q3) As for 1 and 2, should I think of “always” as modifying the entire verb phrases “very badly treated” and “badly treated”, if a native English speaker poorly writes or says sentences 1 and 2?
Q4) Or As for 1 and 2, should I think of “always” as modifying only the verb “treated”, not “very”, “badly”, and the entire “(very) badly treated” if a native English speaker poorly writes or says sentences 1 and 2?
I would say yes to the four questions.
Top answer
fire1 Q1) Are both sentences 1 and 2 above all correct English? I have to say no because nobody would say it that way. fire1 Q2) I know the order of the adverbs is unnatural, but even so, is there any possibility that a native English speaker poorly says or writes sentences like sentences 1 and 2?
- fire1 Q1) Are both sentences 1 and 2 above all correct English?
- I have to say no because nobody would say it that way.
- fire1 Q2) I know the order of the adverbs is unnatural, but even so, is there any possibility that a native English speaker poorly says or writes sentences like sentences 1 and 2?
- Never say no, you know, but well, no.
- fire1 Q3) As for 1 and 2, should I think of “always” as modifying the entire verb phrases “very badly treated” and “badly treated”, if a native English speaker poorly writes or says sentences 1 and 2?
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
fire1Q1) Are both sentences 1 and 2 above all correct English?
I have to say no because nobody would say it that way.
fire1Q2) I know the order of the adverbs is unnatural, but even so, is there any possibility that a native English speaker poorly says or writes sentences like sentences 1 and 2?
Never say no, you k
0
Related Questions