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[fw]

Hello everyone.

In the dictionary ELDOCE, there are two types in the use of the adverb �essentially� as below. Which, #1 or #2 below, does the �essentially� in the 2nd sentence in the passage below belong to?

Definition and example sentences of �essentially �
Used when stating the most basic facts about something [= basically]:
(1) [adverb]
Ballet is essentially a middle-class interest.
Suicide rates have remained essentially unchanged.
(2) [sentence adverb]
Essentially, we are talking about the cold war period.

There are, however, plenty of people who would express almost the same idea in different words: "I don't mind foreigners' coming here to live as long as they're willing to do things the Japanese way." That would mean turning their backs on their native cultures, essentially trying to forget everything that had happened in their lives until the moment they stepped off the plane onto Japanese soil. As well as being nearly impossible, such a complete abandonment of their cultures would be a waste of valuable life experiences.

Best regards,
Fw

[ebb]

An interesting and thoughtful question indeed. I would say #1 because "essentially" here modifies the gerundial phrase "trying to forget'''" -- gerunds function like nouns most commonly. The word under consideration does not modify an entire sentence but qualifies "trying....."
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