Linguist Forum

Languages => Language-specific analysis => English => Topic started by: mallu on April 22, 2014, 10:33:42 PM

Title: Just can't &can't just
Post by: mallu on April 22, 2014, 10:33:42 PM

Is there any difference between 1) I just can't beat a GrandMater&2)I can't just beat a GrandMaster.I sense some difference between them,but not sure .
Kindly help

Title: Re: Just can't &can't just
Post by: freknu on April 22, 2014, 11:25:31 PM

Loosely translated:

• inability to beat a grandmaster
• inappropriateness or insufficiency of beating a grandmaster

The difference is in with which word "just" is linked.

• I just can't go with them(, however hard I try ...)
• I can't just go with them(, not without ...)

Title: Re: Just can't &can't just
Post by: Daniel on April 23, 2014, 12:12:08 AM

There are also readings like this:
1) simply impossible
2) not only