Scope Lamp
Scope
Operator
Focus-sensitive particle
What does this marker apply to?
booster
intermediate
Information structure
Signification
The range affected by a word or marker such as not, only, also, all, every, already, still, almost, or even.
Comment le repérer
Move the marker mentally and observe what meaning changes.
Exemples
Mots
only|also|not|all|every|almost|still
Expressions
only Anna|not all|almost finished
Phrase
Only John saw Mary.
Visual guide
Basic shape
Scope = lit area
Only [John] saw Mary
^^^^
only applies here
Meaning:
John, not others,
saw Mary.
Compare shape
Move the lamp: Only [John] saw Mary = subject in scope John only [saw Mary] = whole event in scope John saw only [Mary] = object in scope
Vue par langue
Dans votre langue
French (standard)
Présence
strong
Importance
Scope depends on the position of negation, only, also, all, and related words.
Seul Jean a vu Marie.
Only Jean saw Marie.
Dans la langue d’apprentissage
Arabic (Modern Standard)
Présence
strong
Difficulté
Scope is important with negation, إلا, فقط, كل, بعض and similar operators.
لا أقرأ إلا الكتبَ المفيدة.
I read only useful books.
Difficulté fréquente
Learners may misplace إلا or misunderstand double-negative-like structures.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.