Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[navi]

Which is correct:

1-I can't go out at any time I like.

2-I can't go out at just any time I like.

3-I can't go out just at any time I like.

I know 1 can mean: 'I can go out when I want to go out.' I wanted to see if it could also mean, in the right context and with the right accentuation: 'I can't go out whenever I like.'

4-He wasn't welcome anywhere he went.

5-He wasn't welcome just anywhere he went.

I know 4 generaly means: 'He was welcome nowhere.' but I wanted to see if 4 and 5 could mean, in the right context and with the right stress, 'He wasn't welcome everywhere he went.'

[bud]

All are correct, Navi.

[navi]

Thanks Bud.
You are right. I made a mistake and forgot to type in 'never'. 'I can never go out when I want to.' was what I intended to write.

This thing has been driving me nuts and I have been driving other people nuts with it apparently.

My major problem is this:
In some cases 'any' with a negative verb seems to mean the same as 'just any' and in some cases 'none at all'. In other words, sometimes it means "some but not all" and at other times it means 'in no case whatsoever'.

4-He wasn't welcome anywhere he went. =NONE AT ALL= NOWHERE

1-I can't go out at any time I like. ="SOMETIMES I can't go out even though I want to."=SOME BUT NOT ALL=NOT JUST ANY TIME I WANT TO

But I don't see any difference between 4 and 1 as far as structure is concerned.

[I don't think the fact that 'can' is a modal changes anything. You can't park anywhere you like. (SOME BUT NOT ALL)I didn't park anywhere I liked. (SOME BUT NOT ALL) I didn't go out at any time I liked. (SOME BUT NOT ALL) I couldn't find him anywhere I thought he would be. (NONE) I didn't find him anywhere I thought he would be. (NONE)]

[bud]

Wow, Navi! This is a tough topic. I don't have any answers (none at all) for you at the moment. Maybe someone adept at grammar will join in here. Also, this is likely to drive me nuts, too. If anything occurs to me, I'll be back.

[mat]

You could alternatively say "I can't go out whenever I like."
_________________
-Mat

[navi]

Thanks Bud and Mat.

Mat's solution obviously works.

As for the head-spinning, mind-boggling question, I have been running around asking this in all sorts of places and I think the structure itself is ambiguous, but the words (the meaning, not the grammar; the semantics and not the syntax) make you opt for one possibility or the other. You should probably rely on context, and being native-speakers, you undoubtedly will (albeit unconsciously).

PS. Boy, can I sound pompous and pretentious!!!!

[bud]

I think you're right, Navi. Ambiguity is probably the key here.