adverb of place

[navi tasan]

Does
A-"My brother, in Boston, takes the bus to work every day."
correspond to:
1-My brother, who is in Boston, takes the bus to work every day.
or to:
2-My brother, when he is in Boston, takes the bus to work every day.
or to both?

 

[southboca]

No, they don't all mean exactly the same thing.

1-"My brother, in Boston, takes the bus to work every day."
Meaning: In the U.S., we wouldn't use commas in this sentence. Without the commas, the sentence means that your brother, who lives in Boston, takes the bus to work every day.

2-My brother, who is in Boston, takes the bus to work every day.
Meaning: This sentence emphasizes the fact that your brother takes the bus to work every day. It does not make it clear whether your brother lives in Boston or whether he's just visiting there right now.

3-My brother, when he is in Boston, takes the bus to work every day.
Meaning: This sentence emphasizes that when your brother is in Boston, he takes the bus. It doesn't make it clear what he does when he's not in Boston.

Hope that was of help,
-Jennifer

 

[navi tasan]

Yes, that indeed helps. I actually thought the sentence was correct with the commas, although it did sound a bit awkward to me. Apparently, it is not correct.
Thanks.