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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

What does "really" modify?

"I really don't want to go."

Does "really" modify "don't" or "don't want to go"?

Thank you
  

Top answer

Hi, I see it as modifying 'don't want'. You see that more clearly if you change the sentence to eg I really don't want an apple. Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, I see it as modifying 'don't want'.
  • You see that more clearly if you change the sentence to eg I really don't want an apple.
  • Clive
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7 Answers
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Hi,

I see it as modifying 'don't want'.

You see that more clearly if you change the sentence to eg I really don't want an apple.

Clive
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AnonymousDoes "really" modify "don't" or "don't want to go"?
Even more specifically, it modifies not. You can get the elements separated better in question form.

Do you really not want to ...?

Conversely, not may modify really:

Do you not really want to ...?

Both are sentential adverbs:
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Hi,

Yet if you remove the 'not',

eg "I really do want . . . "

then 'really' modifies the verb.

Clive
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Thank you SO much for taking the time to provide such informed answers. Excuse me now while I print out your posts in order to study them in depth. Thanks again to one of the stars of EnglishForward.
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CliveYet if you remove the 'not',
eg "I really do want . . . "
then 'really' modifies the verb.
I'm not so sure it doesn't modify the whole sentence, but I think I see now that the problem is that there are two readings.

It's really/truly the case that I want ...

vs

I [really / very much / intensely] want ...

CJ
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Thanks again, sir. You have REALLY given me food for thought.
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OMG! I just realized that I mistakenly thought only one person had answered. Actually, I was fortunate enough to get answers from TWO of EnglishForward' stars. Now I know that I can take the answers to the bank. Thanks again to you BOTH.
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