Peter,

 

Thomas Klammer would disagree with you.  and after using his book for years, I now too disagree with you about these words as adverbs.

 

In his book Analyzing English Grammar, Klammer labels “always,” “sometimes,” “never,” etc. qualifiers, I think. 

 

I believe he points out that one of the tests of an adverb is whether “one” can put very or another intensifier in front of it.  He uses frame sentences as a way to identify a word as/check whether a word actually is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. 

 

I really really like his book.  Get a copy from your Longman rep.    

 

Christine  

 

 

In a message dated 9/10/06 5:55:25 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

Peter, I know what you mean about conjunctive adverbs.  They are “mobile,” as are adverbs.
 
However, conjunctive adverbs cannot be intensified, which is, I think, a property adverbs have: very suddenly, for example.  Nor are conjunctive adverbs able to modify verbs.

Good points, Christine, but consider the following.  Some adverbs also cannot be intensified:  always, sometimes, now, today, never.  I don't think anyone would argue these are not adverbs.

Also, take a look at these:

     Christine likes adverbs, but Herb, nevertheless, prefers conjunctions.
     Ed believes in innate knowledge, and Phil, therefore, agrees with him.

In these two, it seems clear that the so-called conjunctive adverb is not joining the two clauses; the coordinating conjunctions are serving that purpose.  So would we still call them conjunctions in sentences like these?

Or how about in a simple declarative sentence.

Roger Federer won the US Open, for example, in four sets.

Why would we want to consider for example to be a conjunction in a sentence like this.  Or would we?



Peter Adams

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