|
|
 #17 (permalink) Wed Mar 23, 2011 19:19 pm To start ... we have comedy |
|
|
| Thanks both Beees and Alan. |
|
 Eugene2114
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 22 Dec 2010
Posts: 792
|
|
| #18 (permalink) Wed Mar 23, 2011 19:36 pm To start ... we have comedy |
|
|
So, it’s the comma after 'with' /or its absence/ that can deliver the meaning a speaker implied?
Regards. |
|
Eugene2114
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 22 Dec 2010
Posts: 792
|
 |
| #19 (permalink) Wed Mar 23, 2011 21:01 pm To start ... we have comedy |
|
|
| Beeesneees wrote: |
Hi,
What I meant by the nuance changing the meaning, was this sort of difference in emphasis, which implies a different meaning, regardless of whether the expression is at the beginning of the sentence or not:
She wasn't keen on the idea to start with. /To start with she wasn't keen on the idea. <-- Can indicate that she never liked the idea from the outset and still doesn't.
She wasn't keen on the idea to start with. /To start with, she wasn't keen on the idea. <-- Can indicate that she has come around to the idea since. |
Hi,
I almost follow what you are saying but I think you are stretching it a bit to suggest the meaning or 'nuance' as you call it, changes if the position of the phrase alters. If we use 'initially' as an alternative, we could have these two sentences:
Initially she took a dsilike to the plan
She took a dislike to the plan initially.
I believe this is really a question of emphasis. And again it is the way you say it.
Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 14439
Location: UK
|
|
| #20 (permalink) Wed Mar 23, 2011 21:14 pm To start ... we have comedy |
|
|
| Eugene2114 wrote: |
So, it’s the comma after 'with' /or its absence/ that can deliver the meaning a speaker implied?
Regards. |
No, the comma was a typo.
I'm sorry that the waters have become quite muddy around this very reasonable question.
I believe that:
(1) The position of the phrase is likely to change the emphasis placed on the words. though as I indicated in my very first message,
this is not definitely the case, because:
(2) The emphasis placed on the different words can change the meaning, regardless of the phrase position
however, whatever the case
(3) Punctuation is not the deciding factor.
_________________
Cheers m' dears! |
|
Beeesneees
Language Coach
Joined: 08 Apr 2010
Posts: 20392
Location: UK, born and bred
|
|
| #21 (permalink) Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:41 am To start ... we have comedy |
|
|
Thank you both Beees and Alan, again and again for your very informative replies. They are very helpful indeed.
Best regards. |
|
Eugene2114
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 22 Dec 2010
Posts: 792
|
|
|
| at a moment's notice | across boundaries. |
