Author Topic: A Matter of Usage or Style  (Read 5299 times)

Justine A.

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A Matter of Usage or Style
« on: January 07, 2017, 11:05:25 AM »
Sir, can you please explain the use of “Did” and “Should” in sentences below:

“Little did Senator De Lima realize that trying to appease and reason with news hounds would sink her deeper and deeper into the pit.”

"Not only did I want to look at them, I wanted to act like them."

“Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

Was the position "did" and should" in above sentences used as matter of style or usage?

What about the use of  "should" here below.  I think it does not follow the rule of  applying that modal .

"She is extremely proud of her diamond and shows it to everyone who comes by and everyone is surprised that such old ignorant woman should possess valuable jewel."


Michael E. Galario

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Re: A Matter of Usage or Style
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2017, 02:25:11 PM »
Hi Justine,

           While you are waiting for sir Joe's reply, allow me to answer this structure of the language that
     perplexes your mind.

          As we all know most English sentences follow the order in which the subject precedes the verb
     which can be represented structurally as:

                                    Normal Word Order:   S – V – O

         The case you presented is one of the so many exceptions of the language.

         So, let's analyze the examples you lifted from your source.

         Example Sentences:

         1. "Little did Senator De Lima realize that trying to appease and reason with news hounds would sink
              her deeper and deeper into the pit.”

         2. "Not only did I want to look at them, I wanted to act like them."

         3. “Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

             Unlike the traditional rule wherein the subject comes before the verb and its complement, some
         situations call for the inversion of word order and the above examples follow the rule of inversion.

             Inversion operates in the first and second sentences. These sentences obey the rule that if a
        negative word/expression such as rarely, scarcely, never, hardly, and little begins a sentence, then
        the verb, should precede the subject. The same goes true for the conditional statement as in the case  
        of sentence number 3.

             And to answer your question if the structure is a matter of stylistic usage, my answer is not at all
         times. Please see the case below:

              At the park he plays.

             The above example is in its inverted order. Inverted for stylistic purposes.

              He plays at the park.

             But not,

              Wrong: "Little Senator De Lima DID realize that trying to appease and reason with news hounds
                          would sink her deeper and deeper into the pit.”

          There are some other cases aside from these that call for inversion. I'll leave the comprehensive
          discussion to sir Joe.

          Hope this explanation helps you.



            

        


        


« Last Edit: January 11, 2017, 05:28:44 AM by Michael E. Galario »
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