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Old 15-Oct-2004, 08:59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blacknomi
Here comes the confusion: does the adverb "increasingly" modify "becoming"? Or "depressed"? This is why I think "Our technique is becoming increasingly specialized" is bit roundabout.
Here's a way to tell: move the adverb. :D

1. She is becoming increasingly depressed.
2. She is increasingly becoming depressed.

In 1. 'increasingly' modifies the adjective 'depressed'. It means, her state of depression is increasing. That is, she is becoming depressed more and more. In 2., 'increasingly' modifies the verb phrase 'becoming depressed'. It means, the cycle of her depression is more frequent. That is, she's becoming depressed more often. Maybe she used to get depressed once a month, and now she's getting depressed three times a month.

In 3., below, 'the technique' is becoming more and more specialized.

3. Our technique is becoming increasingly specialized.
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