In the sentence “Only now do we have what we need to move forward”, the word do clearly has some emphasizing meaning. But I would like a more precise understanding. Topicalization and fronting are somehow involved . Is do turning the verb have into the topic? But do is not a placeholder in fronted position … Read more
For me, double fronted adverbials make sense and sound fine when they have different meanings or tones, for example: Slowly, without enthusiasm, he picked up the board and… But in some texts I’ve noticed the writer using two fronted adverbials with practically the same meaning. As an example: Apparently, so they said, everything in this … Read more
Currently reading "A Student’s Introduction to English Grammar" by Geoffrey K. Pullum and Rodney Huddleston. Consider the following contrast between the phrasal verbs ask for and come across. "The information for which I asked."—is given as grammatical. "The information across which I came."—is given as ungrammatical, as in this case preposition fronting is not allowed. … Read more
Once there was a boy named Santiago who helped an old man at sea. Once was there a boy named Santiago who helped an old man at sea. I know the second sentence sounds iffy and, perhaps even downright unacceptable. My question is why wouldn’t this kind of fronting be allowed when it seemingly breaks … Read more
Sentences such as: So says the preacher. So began the fight. Are they an example of inversion? I searched around, but all I could find was that the inversions with so can happen with only auxiliary verbs, not the whole verbs. But I know for sure these sentences are grammatical. So what grammar structure was … Read more
It’s very common to say: "Here he comes." "Here comes the man." But what about: "Here comes he." "Here the man comes." Is there a rule about the order of noun and verb in inversion? It will be too much if all the inversions are considered, so let us talk about adverb inversions only, such … Read more
Are the following two examples grammatical? Write it I have. Wrote it I did. Consider as possible contexts: They said that I have to write it, and write it I have. — (for #1) They said that I wrote it, and wrote it I did. — (for #2) MAIN QUESTION: What reasons are there to … Read more
‘With no man more than Pope are such personal considerations relevant and cogent.’ -History of English Literature, by Edward Albert Why are is used prior to the subject ‘such personal constructions relevant and cogent’. I know ‘Fronting’, where we move prepositional phrase at the start of the sentence to create emphasis. But can we do … Read more
In indirect questions, the so-called penthouse principle disallows Subject-AV inversion. Thus, Cathy wonders what did Sam eat. (Incorrect) Cathy wonders what Sam ate. (Correct) What is the rule for a sentence like this? Might I know who that person is? Might I know who is that person? (Incorrect) The above sentence admits of inversion. I … Read more
CONTEXT: I can’t find my ring. Oh, there it is. Is the word “there” an adjective in the sentence above? or is it a pronoun? For me it looks like the word “it” is the pronoun, but I’m not completely sure. Answer “There” is an adverb in your sentence – specifically a locative adverb or … Read more
