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Clee62 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

What is the difference between these two sentences?

Hi,

I am not sure why the meanings of these two sentences are different.

"Happliy Peter gave Maria back her book."

"Peter gave Maria back her book happily."

To me, they all mean Peter was happy to give back the book.

thanks,
  

Top answer

Yes, the meanings of these sentences are different. In the second sentence, "happily" is an adverb of manner which modifies the verb "gave". It means that Peter gave Maria her book in a happy manner, or put another way, Peter was happy when he returned the book.

— Anonymous

  • Yes, the meanings of these sentences are different.
  • In the second sentence, "happily" is an adverb of manner which modifies the verb "gave".
  • It means that Peter gave Maria her book in a happy manner, or put another way, Peter was happy when he returned the book.
  • ") "happily" modifies the whole sentence, not just the verb.
  • It means fortunately Peter returned the book or it was a good thing that Peter returned the book.
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2 Answers
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Yes, the meanings of these sentences are different.

In the second sentence, "happily" is an adverb of manner which modifies the verb "gave". It means that Peter gave Maria her book in a happy manner, or put another way, Peter was happy when he returned the book.

In the first sentence (which by the way should read "Happily, Peter....") "happily" modifies the whole sentence, not j
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My fisrt language is Mandarin but it is nothing to do with it. I saw these example in one of the reference books.

Thank you very much!
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