TheFisher  +  449095 Mon, 03 Dec 07 07:28 AM Take the following sentence: The train was frequently loud and late. If I want to say that the train was both frequently loud and frequently late, would the above sentence be accurate in conveying my meaning? Or should it be: "The train was frequently loud and frequently late." I wonder if the first sentence actually means the train was frequently loud, and also late (but not necessarily frequently). Thanks in advance. TheFisher Joined on Fri, Nov 9 2007 CA New Member 06 Verbs, Adverbs

	CalifJim  +  449100 Mon, 03 Dec 07 07:47 AM Once you have "The train was frequently ...", you've set up a sentence talking about something that happens habitually.  It's hard to see how anyone would be able to interpret the sentence as a whole as talking about something habitual with regard to loudness, but a one-time event with regard to lateness. Even separating the two results in something anomalous: The train was frequently loud, and it was late. What could that mean?  Or, to put it differently, why would a speaker combine a fact about the habitual loudness of the train with the fact that it was late on this occasion?  The only interpretation that makes sense is to take frequently as applying to both adjectives loud and late. Each sentence has its own logic, however, so there may be other cases where the adverb applies only to one adjective. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,465 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Regards, Verbs, Adverbs

	Futurehuman11  +  449111 Mon, 03 Dec 07 08:30 AM  TheFisher wrote: The train was frequently loud and late. To resove all ambiguity, write the sentence as follows.  The train was frequently both loud and late. Futurehuman11 Joined on Sat, Dec 1 2007 Junior Member 78 Verbs, Adverbs

	TheFisher  +  450390 Thu, 06 Dec 07 04:32 PM So I guess examining each individual writing situation is more important than following hard and fast rules.. much appreciated, btw. TheFisher Verbs, Adverbs