Where adverbs are placed

Question

Here is yet another question:It seems that some adverbs make sentences mean differently depending upon where they are placed within: a. He also called me arrogant.  (thus, not only he but someone else called me arrogant) b. He called me also arrogant.  (thus, he called me arrogant as well as stingy)c. She too likes mathematics.  (thus, not only she but someone else likes mathematics)d. She likes mathematics too.  (thus, she likes history and other subjects)Q:Do I have correct understandings on these adverbs?Thanks for your inputs.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
Here is yet another question:

It seems that some adverbs make sentences mean differently depending upon where they are placed within:
Generally speaking, that's true.

a. He also called me arrogant. (thus, not only he but someone else called me arrogant)
b. He called me also arrogant. (thus, he called me arrogant as well as stingy)
I agree with you. However, A is normally said for both meanings, and B is more uncommon. Normally, the context makes the intended meaning clear.

c. She, too, likes mathematics. (thus, not only she but someone else likes mathematics)
d. She likes mathematics, too. (thus, she likes history and other subjects)
I agree with your interpretation of C and D. However, I would add commas, as I have done in red.

Q:
Do I have correct understandings on these adverbs? Yes, you do,

Best wishes, Clive

Avangi · Answer

jazzmastera. He also called me arrogant. (thus, not only he but someone else called me arrogant) For this meaning, I'd set off "also" by commas, unless prior context makes it amply clear. Without the commas, it has the meaning you ascribe to (b).

b. He called me also arrogant. (thus, he called me arrogant as well as stingy The meaning is as you say, but this is hardly ever used. You may also place "also" at the end for this meaning, as in (d).

c. She too likes mathematics. (thus, not only she but someone else likes mathematics) okay

d. She likes mathematics too. (thus, she likes ~~history~~ math and other subjects) okay

Edit. Note that although (a) and (c) have identical structures, the use of "too" favors the interpretation of "as well as others" (even without the comma offset), while the use of "also" favors the interpretation as a second action by the same subject.

Thus if you swap adverbs in (a) and (c) you also swap most likely meanings.

Bob too called me arrogant. (even without commas) So did Jim. (To get this meaning with "also," the comma offset is emphatically required.)

She also likes math. (In addition to a previously mentioned subject)

Anonymous · Answer

Clive, thanks for your input.
As you mentioned, I was feeling A is said to mean both ways and you have to know the context of the passage to make out which way the writer meant it to be.

Placement of commas is noted.

Thanks again.

J

Jazzmaster · Answer

Sorry, above went out before completion. Please disregard.

Clive, thanks.

As you mentioned, I was feeling A indeed could mean in both ways. With these, I guess you have to know the context of the passage in order to make out which way the writer meant it to be.

Placement of commas is noted.

Thanks again.

J

Jazzmaster · Answer

Avangi
jazzmaster
a. He also called me arrogant. (thus, not only he but someone else called me arrogant) For this meaning, I'd set off "also" by commas, unless prior context makes it amply clear. Without the commas, it has the meaning you ascribe to (b).

b. He called me also arrogant. (thus, he called me arrogant as well as stingy The meaning is as you say, but this is hardly ever used. You may also place "also" at the end for this meaning, as in (d).

c. She too likes mathematics. (thus, not only she but someone else likes mathematics) okay

d. She likes mathematics too. (thus, she likes ~~history~~ math and other subjects) okay

Edit. Note that although (a) and (c) have identical structures, the use of "too" favors the interpretation of "as well as others" (even without the comma offset), while the use of "also" favors the interpretation as a second action by the same subject.

Thus if you swap adverbs in (a) and (c) you also swap most likely meanings.

Bob too called me arrogant. (even without commas) So did Jim. (To get this meaning with "also," the comma offset is emphatically required.)

She also likes math. (In addition to a previously mentioned subject)

Avangi, thanks.
Your added comment on interpretations of "too: as well as others" and "also: second action by the same subject" is very interesting. It looks like these words CAN produce different interpretations, although they are all adverbs and placed at the same position. English IS a precise language indeed.

I will certainly note that.

Thanks again.

J

Avangi · Answer

jazzmaster English IS a precise language indeed.

Interesting interpretation, j/m!

- A.

Where adverbs are placed

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