Highlighting the Contrasting Answer

Level 4

Stress and word order can highlight a participant or phrase against alternatives.

How It Works

Stress and word order can highlight a participant or phrase against alternatives.

The focused phrase can appear before or after the verb, depending on context. Case and agreement remain grammatical constraints; a word-order change is not a free replacement for clear reference.

GreekMeaning
Την Άννα είδα, όχι τον Νίκο.I saw Anna, not Nikos.
Εγώ θα φύγω.I am the one who will leave.
Αύριο θα έρθω, όχι σήμερα.I will come tomorrow, not today.

Examples (3)

  1. Την Άννα είδα, όχι τον Νίκο.

    I saw Anna, not Nikos.

  2. Εγώ θα φύγω.

    I am the one who will leave.

  3. Αύριο θα έρθω, όχι σήμερα.

    I will come tomorrow, not today.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Highlighting the Contrasting AnswerLevel 4

Learn This First

Recognize a neutral clause before changing its stress or order to highlight a contrasting answer.

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Patterns that build on this one.