« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Just can't &can't just  (Read 8460 times)

Offline mallu

  • Linguist
  • ***
  • Posts: 146
Just can't &can't just
« 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
Logged

Offline freknu

  • Forum Regulars
  • Serious Linguist
  • *
  • Posts: 396
    • Ostrobothnian (Norse)
Re: Just can't &can't just
« Reply #1 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 ...)
« Last Edit: April 22, 2014, 11:27:03 PM by freknu »
Logged

Offline Daniel

  • Administrator
  • Experienced Linguist
  • *****
  • Posts: 2090
    • English
Re: Just can't &can't just
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2014, 12:12:08 AM »
There are also readings like this:
1) simply impossible
2) not only
Logged
Welcome to Linguist Forum! If you have any questions, please ask.
Pages: [1]
« previous next »