by Juan Claudio S. Castro
The next construction of emphasis is “there” + “be” sentences, that is, those introduced by “there” and “be” verb. This structure allows us to underscore the noun phrase found after the “be” verb, which functions as the subject of the sentence. The emphasis corresponds to the existence of the thing denoted by the noun phrase, often towards elaboration and verification. The sentence, though carries a magnified expression, keeps a conversational, tranquil tone. Compare “A complete set of gardening tools is on the patio” with “There is a complete set of gardening tools on the patio.” The first sounds like a smooth sea: it tells about the presence of the gardening kit in a normal voice. The second sentence, although similarly informing of the location of the gardening tools, keeps a touch of emphasis and sounds weightier than the first. The assertive impact emanates from the “there” + “be” word combination situated at the beginning of the sentence, which functions as a pointing tool to the subject. It can also be noticed in the second sentence that in spite of the emphasis, the conversational, candid tone of the expression is maintained.
Operationally, the “there” + “be” tandem at the beginning of a sentence stands as an explicit marker that ushers readers’ attention to the subject of the sentence, thereby increasing the weight given to the subject, particularly the veracity of its existence. Further, by means of this two-word combination, the sender can highlight the subject by placing it at the end or a position closer to the end of the sentence in conformity with a principle in English that the emphasized sentence component is positioned at the extremity of the sentence. This principle is commonly known as “end-focus,” which we shall also tackle in this composition.
Similar to “there” + “be” sentences, “it” + “be” statements work to mention something forcefully without disturbing the tranquility of the conversation nor drastically asserting a thought. Typically structured “It” + “be” + noun phrase + relative clause, “it” + “be” sentences poke out among all sentence constituents the noun phrase tailing the verb “be” towards clarity. While a “there” + “be” statement underscores the subject relative to its existence, an “it” + “be” sentence turns the spotlight to a noun phrase towards identifying it and expressing its specificality. Moreover, end-focus is likewise upheld in this structure, where the highlighted noun phrase steps closer to the latter edge of the sentence. Comparing side by side “Ryan made the winning shot” and “It was Ryan who made the winning shot,” you can readily sense that the one with “it” + “be” gives more emphasis to the word “Ryan” than the other sentence does which informs about the same serenely.
As mentioned, end-focus is another emphatic construction where the highlighted sentence constituent is placed at the end or at least close to the end of the statement. Positioning this component at the latter situs makes it stand out unlike when it’s at the opening of the sentence. In simple words, end-focus is a form of foregrounding, the latter edge of the sentence being the most prominent to the receiver. In the realm of English linguistics, end-focus is typically used to emphasize new information presented in a discourse. In a given paragraph, for example, the penman (whose intended readers are freelance writers and journalism students) talks about the process of close reading. As he proceeds in describing close reading, he connects it with writing by stating, “It will help you dissect the text to identify the rhetorical techniques of the author, all towards assimilating and utilizing them in your own writing.” Here, the sender expounds on the method of close reading by relating it to the process of writing. The process of writing is the new information discussed in the paragraph. In the above sentence where the new information is indicated at the end, this information, in effect, is placed at the center stage by operation of end-focus. In other words, readers are drawn to the new information, the writing process. Illustratively, the skeleton of a sentence reflecting new information where end-focus is employed is subject (the known) + verb + object or subject complement (the new information). The known or the established idea is usually mentioned through pronouns or abridged denotation.
End-focus also works on a psychological underpinning. Have you heard of LSS? Last song syndrome or LSS is a psychological phenomenon where a melody last heard by a person continually plays in his mind even if he stops hearing it. In most cases, he unconsciously sings the tune himself when alone or when not engaged in a conversation. A quick run through of psychological theories about memory gives recency effect as the key factor behind LSS. This theory holds that the last thing a person encounters tends to be more memorable than other things earlier met. Recency effect is the reason why the last item on your grocery list, the last lesson you read in your book, the last person you meet at a party, the last news you hear from a newscast, the last message you send, the final household chore you do, and the last film you watch are more embedded in your memory than those experienced earlier. Relatively, end-focus magnifies a certain sentence constituent by placing it at the extremity where human memory can acquire it best. This emphatic construction abets human memory to imbibe a piece of information believed to be relevant or critical. Simply put, emphasis through stronger memory retention.
Next week, as we come to the last part of this write-up, we zoom in on the last two common emphatic structures in the English language. These remaining constructions emblaze the power of direct reference to your receiver and expression of individuality in the course of collective denotation all towards infusing emphasis into the statement.
