Scope Lamp
What does this marker apply to?
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
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
Vista por língua
Na tua língua materna
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 tua língua de aprendizagem
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
Learners may place only, also, and not in positions that change or obscure meaning.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.