0

Which of the following is more correct?

  1. When I speak, what I say is grammatically correct.

or

  1. When I speak, what I say is correct grammatically.
|improve this question|||||
  • 2
    Generally the first would be preferred, since Modifier - Head is the normal form for a non-verbal predicate: He's a big boy ~ She's very tired. But the second is grammatical, too; it just doesn't form a constituent with the adjective. Probably an adverb in that position would modify the entire verb phrase (including the auxiliary be) instead of just the predicate adjective. – John Lawler Sep 25 '16 at 15:01
  • Domain modifiers-of-adjectives doubtless have more mobility than emphasisers / scalar sufficiency markers etc (When I speak, what I say is absolutely correct / accurate enough / too blunt.) To say nothing of the negator not. – Edwin Ashworth Sep 25 '16 at 16:45
  • When I speak, what I say is correct, grammatically. The two are semantically the same thing if you use the comma. There is only a difference in stylistic meaning from intonation. Or how it is "read in the head". – Lambie Jan 2 '17 at 22:07
2

Generally the first would be preferred, since Modifier - Head is the normal form for a non-verbal predicate: He's a big boy ~ She's very tired. But the second is grammatical, too; it just doesn't form a constituent with the adjective. Probably an adverb in that position would modify the entire verb phrase (including the auxiliary be) instead of just the predicate adjective. – John Lawler

|improve this answer|||||

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.