Scope Lamp
Scope
Operator
Focus-sensitive particle
What does this marker apply to?
booster
intermediate
Information structure
Significado
The range affected by a word or marker such as not, only, also, all, every, already, still, almost, or even.
Como identificar
Move the marker mentally and observe what meaning changes.
Exemplos
Palavras
only|also|not|all|every|almost|still
Frases
only Anna|not all|almost finished
Frase
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
Vista por língua
Na tua língua
Portuguese (Brazilian)
Presença
strong
Importância
Scope words like só, também, ainda, já, nem, todo, and apenas interact with word order and negation.
Só a Maria veio.
Only Maria came.
Na língua que estás a aprender
Arabic (Modern Standard)
Presença
strong
Dificuldade
Scope is important with negation, إلا, فقط, كل, بعض and similar operators.
لا أقرأ إلا الكتبَ المفيدة.
I read only useful books.
Dificuldade comum de quem aprende
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.