words order in english and difference of meaning?

Question

how does the meaning change when the order change, for xampe "i am still packing" or "I am packing still" i think it makes difference, or any other example, is there any guideline for how to make sense in reading and writing.

Answer 1

Generally, the word order depends on the meaning. Things get complicated in English, as the same word (spelt in the same way) could be either and adverb or an adjective, and therefore will need to have different positions in the sentences.

In your example, the first form is the correct one. In this sentence, "still" is a temporal adverb and indicates that you have not finished packing.
In the second sentence, the position of the word "still" would indicate that it is used as an adjective referred to the subject. It could indicate that the subject is packing being "still", without moving... I have never seen anyone packing without moving, though...

Answer 2

Aah . . . this is difficult.

If you are familiar with Spanish, word order is entiely important, because what is most important is stated later in the sentance.

In English, word order is really not so important as the tone in which it is being said. That, and what is most commonly said "I am packing still" would not be said by many people, except by those unfamiliar with the language, whos sentance structure is different.

"I'm still packing." This little sentance really doesn't tell a terrible amount. The tone of the voice is what conveys meaning. "I'M still packing" tells you that there is another prrson involved who is not packing, and this is annoying. "I'm STILL packing" tells you that this process is ongoing, and has taking longer than expected. "I'm still PACKING!" means that the person is nearing the end of their rope with the process.

I hope this conveys a little bt of understanding

Answer 3

It's just the feel that tells you what is meant! No thumb rules. Or innumerable rules if you insist! Actually that is not the correct approach to master a language. You have to feel it to learn it. Then most of the meanings are unfolded automatically. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Lovely green eyes's explanation is very good. It never occurred to me that "I am packing still" would mean "I am packing without moving", but grammatically it does. Another interpretation could be "I am packing still (not sparkling) water" if it was clear that water was the thing being packed. ["if you want sparkling water on the trip, you'll have to pack it yourself, but I am packing still"].