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Old 10-Jul-2008, 12:41
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Default Adverb position question

1. I definitely didn't do it.
2. She is really a good girl.
3. She is a really good girl.

My questions are:
1. I thought definitely (the adverb) should be placed between didn't (the auxiliary verb) and do (the main verb).
2. Which word does really (the adverb) modifies?
3. The adverb modifies good (the adjective). Does this sentence have difference meaning to sentence 2?

Thank you very much for reading my questions :D.
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Old 10-Jul-2008, 12:53
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Default Re: Adverb position question

1a. I definitely didn't do it.
1b. I didn't definitely do it.

2a. She is really a good girl.
2b. She really is a good girl.
In that context, really is synonymouos with truly.

3. She is a really good girl.
In that context, really is synonymous with very.

2. and 3. express different meanings.
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Old 10-Jul-2008, 13:23
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Default Re: Adverb position question

Am I correct to say that:

1a. definitely modifies the whole sentence "I didn't do it"
2a. 2b. Similar to 1a.
3a. really modifies an adjective as opposed to a whole sentence.
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Old 10-Jul-2008, 14:10
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Default Re: Adverb position question

[1] 1a. The adverb definitely modifies the verb phrase "didn't do it".

[2] They're not comparable in terms of position; didn't is an auxiliary verb, whereas is is a linking verb.

[3] Yes, 3a. really modifies an adjective as opposed to a whole sentence.

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Old 10-Jul-2008, 14:48
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Default Re: Adverb position question

Thank you very much. It is clearer to me now.
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Old 10-Jul-2008, 15:03
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Default Re: Adverb position question

You're most welcome.
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