[Grammar] to rely heavily on something

[salvador.dal1950]

Hello. The expression "to rely heavily on something". Is it correct? Because "heavily" is an adverb of manner so it must be putted after the direct object "something". In this way it would be: "to rely on something heavily".

Thank you!

 

[Rover_KE]

Is the expression "to rely heavily on something" correct? Yes, it is. [STRIKE]Because[/STRIKE] "Heavily" is an adverb of manner so it must be put after the direct object "something". What makes you think that?

In this way it would be: "to rely on something heavily" The original is fine.

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[salvador.dal1950]

Here: BBC World Service | Learning English | The Flatmates - Language Point 75

In the part where says "Adverbs of manner - verbs with objects"

Thank you for the corrections, specially the "put" one.

 

[5jj]

That website is mistaken in calling 'wide' in that sentence an adverb of manner, in my opinion. If you open a door wide, you open it so that it is wide open. 'Wide' does not describe the manner of opening.

 

[salvador.dal1950]

That website is mistaken in calling 'wide' in that sentence an adverb of manner, in my opinion. If you open a door wide, you open it so that it is wide open. 'Wide' does not describe the manner of opening.

You're right about that, the webpage is mistaken. But regardless of that, I've seen the rule verb+direct_object+adverb_of_manner in many other places. They say the exception is when the direct object is too long so, in that case the adverb can be put after the verb, but this is not the case.

So, is there complete freedom in the positioning of adverbs of manner?

 

[Rover_KE]

So, is there complete freedom in the positioning of adverbs of manner?

No, there isn't, but there are several possibilities:

'David bravely confronted Goliath'.
'Bravely, David confronted Goliath.'
'David confronted Goliath bravely.'

But not

'David confronted bravely Goliath.'

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hello. The expression "to rely heavily on something". Is it correct? Because "heavily" is an adverb of manner so it must be putted after the direct object "something". In this way it would be: "to rely on something heavily".

Thank you!

The verb "rely" is intransitive. It does not take a direct object. The word "something" is the object of the preposition "on". Therefore, the "rule" would not apply to this situation even if it were a valid rule.

 

[tzfujimino]

That website is mistaken in calling 'wide' in that sentence an adverb of manner, in my opinion. If you open a door wide, you open it so that it is wide open. 'Wide' does not describe the manner of opening.

Hello.:-D

I'd like to ask a question here.

What would you call that "wide"? Is it an adverb of degree?
"To open something wide" is an interesting construction.
It looks like a similar construction to "I painted the walls yellow."

Thank you.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hello.:-D

I'd like to ask a question here.

What would you call that "wide"? Is it an adverb of degree?
"To open something wide" is an interesting construction.
It looks like a similar construction to "I painted the walls yellow."

Thank you.

I would call it a resultative adjective.

He painted the fence white.
I painted the walls yellow.
He cooked the steaks medium.

See here: Resultative Adjective - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

 

[5jj]

I would call it a resultative adjective.

He painted the fence white.
I painted the walls yellow.
He cooked the steaks medium.

See here: Resultative Adjective - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

I considered that possibility. However, after the processes, the fence is white and the walls are yellow, but the steak is not medium, and the door is certainly not wide. I think I would classify 'wide' as an adverb modifying an unspoken adjective 'open' in the idea of "He moved the door to a wide open state'. I am not happy with that, but it's the best I can come up with.

This does rather show up one of the weaknesses of some parts of speech labels.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I considered that possibility. However, after the processes, the fence is white and the walls are yellow, but the steak is not medium, and the door is certainly not wide. I think I would classify 'wide' as an adverb modifying an unspoken adjective 'open' in the idea of "He moved the door to a wide open state'. I am not happy with that, but it's the best I can come up with.

This does rather show up one of the weaknesses of some parts of speech labels.

I disagree about the steak. It is the condition of the steak as a result of the verb "cook". You make a good point about the door. In the sentence "he busted the door wide open", "wide" would be an adverb modifying "open" and "open" would be a resultative adjective, IMO. In "The door was opened wide", "wide" would be an adverb modifying the verb.