[Question] Italics on auxiliary verbs (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by xzqtlmn@lemmy.world to c/englishpractice@lemmy.world

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As far as I can tell, italics are used as an alternative to quotes or double quotes. However, there is one usage that perplexes me: when they're used on auxiliary verbs. For example,

I didn’t even know she had a boy friend.
Oh my god, they really can write!
If you can do that, you should.
But what I can guarantee is that...

I've seen this kind of writing on Reddit and Lemmy for quite a while, but still can't grasp it: when and how?

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[-] CaptObvious@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

In these cases, italics are used for emphasis, showing the focus word of the thought group. It’s necessary because the primary stress has shifted to a word that wouldn’t normally have it.

BTW, in the first sentence, “had” is not an auxiliary. It’s the main verb of the subordinate clause. English is a little confusing because it allows the non-modal auxiliaries also to function as main verbs in their own right.

[-] xzqtlmn@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Is that it? I've been trying to figuring it for quite a while and it seems so obvious after you said it. I do know that bolds and all caps being used for emphasis, never thought about that italics in the same light, or, I supposed, soft emphasis.

Thanks!!

this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2023

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