Scope Lamp
What does this marker apply to?
Meaning
The range affected by a word or marker such as not, only, also, all, every, already, still, almost, or even.
How to spot it
Move the marker mentally and observe what meaning changes.
Examples
only|also|not|all|every|almost|still
only Anna|not all|almost finished
Only John saw Mary.
Visual guide
Scope = lit area
Only [John] saw Mary
^^^^
only applies here
Meaning:
John, not others,
saw Mary.
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
Language View
In your native language
English scope depends strongly on placement and interpretation of words like only, even, also, all, not, and almost.
Only John saw Mary.
only scopes over John
In your learning language
Scope depends on position and stress for words like solo, también, no, todos, ya, and todavía.
Solo Ana leyó el libro. Ana solo leyó el libro.
Only Ana read the book. Ana only read the book.
Learners may place scope words in a position that changes the intended meaning.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.