Confusion about the word order in english

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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tayyarecişevki
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Confusion about the word order in english

Post by tayyarecişevki »

Hi , my question to you is if ı say, at school , ı learned to speak english . I Think at school modifies the verb learned . instead, if ı say, ı learned to speak english at school . I think at school modifies the infinitive to speak . Also there is a bit difference in terms of meaning?
1) it was today that ı decided to come here
2) today, ı decided to come here
3)ı decided to come here today
What are differences between these three sentences?
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Alan
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Re: Confusion about the word order in english

Post by Alan »

1.The relation between adverbials and their modifiees is determined primarily by sense rather than strictly by position.

In this case, in either position, we would understand 'at school' to be modifying the entire verb phrase 'learned to speak English'.

2.There is no real difference between the three sentences beyond level of emphasis on the time, the cleft construction (#1) being the most emphatic.

Please note, for future reference, that different questions should be posted separately.
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