Fronting for Emphasis in Detail
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#### Objectives
– Understand the concept of fronting for emphasis in English grammar.
– Learn different types of fronting and their purposes.
– Apply fronting effectively to add emphasis and variety to sentences.
– Improve sentence clarity and reader engagement through effective fronting techniques.
#### Topics
1. **Introduction to Fronting**
2. **Types of Fronting**
– Fronting Adverbials
– Fronting Objects
– Fronting Complements
– Fronting Conditionals and Concessions
3. **Examples and Detailed Explanations**
4. **Common Errors and Corrections**
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### 1. Introduction to Fronting
**Definition:**
– Fronting refers to the grammatical construction where an element normally placed later in the sentence is moved to the beginning to emphasize it.
**Importance:**
– Adds emphasis to a specific element.
– Creates variety in sentence structure.
– Engages the reader by highlighting key details or shifts in focus.
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### 2. Types of Fronting
#### A. Fronting Adverbials
**Definition:**
– Moving an adverbial phrase to the beginning of the sentence to emphasize time, place, manner, or reason.
**Examples:**
– **Time:** *Yesterday,* we visited the museum. (Normal: We visited the museum yesterday.)
– **Place:** *In the park,* children were playing. (Normal: Children were playing in the park.)
– **Manner:** *With great care,* she handled the fragile items. (Normal: She handled the fragile items with great care.)
– **Reason:** *Because of the rain,* the match was canceled. (Normal: The match was canceled because of the rain.)
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#### B. Fronting Objects
**Definition:**
– Moving the object of the verb to the beginning of the sentence to emphasize what is being acted upon.
**Examples:**
– **Object Fronting:** *That book,* I really enjoyed. (Normal: I really enjoyed that book.)
– **Pronoun Fronting (less common):** *Him* I don’t trust. (Normal: I don’t trust him.)
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#### C. Fronting Complements
**Definition:**
– Moving a complement (a word or phrase that completes the meaning of the subject or object) to the beginning for emphasis.
**Examples:**
– **Adjective Complement:** *Very disappointed* was she with the results. (Normal: She was very disappointed with the results.)
– **Noun Complement:** *A brilliant musician* he became over the years. (Normal: He became a brilliant musician over the years.)
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#### D. Fronting Conditionals and Concessions
**Definition:**
– Moving conditional or concessive phrases to the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.
**Examples:**
– **Conditional:** *If you need help,* just let me know. (Normal: Just let me know if you need help.)
– **Concessive:** *Even though she was tired,* she continued working. (Normal: She continued working even though she was tired.)
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### 3. Examples and Detailed Explanations
#### A. Fronting Adverbials
1. **Time:**
– **Original:** We will discuss the plan tomorrow.
– **Fronted:** *Tomorrow,* we will discuss the plan.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes the time when the plan will be discussed.
2. **Place:**
– **Original:** The conference was held at the grand hotel.
– **Fronted:** *At the grand hotel,* the conference was held.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes the location of the conference.
3. **Manner:**
– **Original:** She whispered with great urgency.
– **Fronted:** *With great urgency,* she whispered.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes how she whispered.
4. **Reason:**
– **Original:** The event was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
– **Fronted:** *Due to unforeseen circumstances,* the event was canceled.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes the reason for the cancellation.
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#### B. Fronting Objects
1. **General Object:**
– **Original:** I couldn’t understand the instructions.
– **Fronted:** *The instructions,* I couldn’t understand.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes the complexity or confusion of the instructions.
2. **Pronoun Object:**
– **Original:** I don’t believe him.
– **Fronted:** *Him,* I don’t believe.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes the mistrust of the person.
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#### C. Fronting Complements
1. **Adjective Complement:**
– **Original:** She is extremely talented.
– **Fronted:** *Extremely talented* she is.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes her talent.
2. **Noun Complement:**
– **Original:** He became a renowned artist.
– **Fronted:** *A renowned artist* he became.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes the achievement of becoming a renowned artist.
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#### D. Fronting Conditionals and Concessions
1. **Conditional:**
– **Original:** We will go for a walk if the weather is nice.
– **Fronted:** *If the weather is nice,* we will go for a walk.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes the condition that will determine whether they go for a walk.
2. **Concessive:**
– **Original:** She continued her studies despite the challenges.
– **Fronted:** *Despite the challenges,* she continued her studies.
– **Explanation:** Emphasizes her determination to continue despite the obstacles.
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### 4. Common Errors and Corrections
**Common Errors:**
– Misplacing the fronted element.
– Creating confusion with unclear logical flow.
– Using fronting inappropriately in formal writing.
**Error Examples and Corrections:**
1. **Error:** Despite of the rain, he went outside.
– **Correction:** *Despite the rain,* he went outside.
– **Explanation:** Corrects the prepositional phrase for clarity.
2. **Error:** Happy she was with her new job.
– **Correction:** *Happy* was she with her new job.
– **Explanation:** Retains subject-verb agreement and ensures correct placement of the fronted adjective.
3. **Error:** In the morning, will we have a meeting.
– **Correction:** *In the morning,* we will have a meeting.
– **Explanation:** Ensures the correct word order for the sentence to make sense.
4. **Error:** To the store I went because we needed groceries.
– **Correction:** *To the store* I went *because we needed groceries.*
– **Explanation:** Corrects the sentence structure to emphasize the place first and the reason subsequently.
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By mastering the use of fronting, you can add emphasis and variety to your sentences effectively. This technique helps in drawing attention to specific elements in your writing, making your text more engaging and dynamic.
