Why ‘In Modernity’ Is Placed at the Beginning of a Sentence in English

In modern English writing, the phrase ‘in modernity’ is often used at the beginning of a sentence, but it’s important to understand why it’s placed there and how it affects the sentence structure. In this article, we will explain how and why ‘in modernity’ can appear in different parts of a sentence and what it means when it is used in this context.

1. Understanding the Phrase ‘In Modernity’

‘In modernity’ refers to the period of modern times, often reflecting the characteristics and culture of the present age. It is a noun phrase used to describe a certain aspect of the modern era. It is typically used to discuss social, cultural, or philosophical trends.

2. Common Sentence Structure in English

In English, sentence structure is flexible, and various elements of a sentence can be rearranged for emphasis. For example, it’s common to start a sentence with a prepositional phrase like ‘in modernity’ when the writer wants to emphasize the concept of the modern age as the context for the rest of the statement.

3. Why Does ‘In Modernity’ Appear First?

When ‘in modernity’ is placed at the beginning of a sentence, it serves to set the stage for the point the writer is about to make. This helps to focus the reader’s attention on the specific time period being discussed. For instance, ‘In modernity, leisure seems to disappear’ uses ‘in modernity’ at the beginning to make it clear that the statement applies to the modern age specifically.

4. What Happens When ‘In Modernity’ Is Placed at the End?

Although ‘in modernity’ is often placed at the beginning, it can also appear at the end of a sentence with a comma, especially in more formal writing. For example, ‘Leisure seems to disappear in modernity.’ Both positions are grammatically correct, but starting the sentence with ‘in modernity’ provides more emphasis on the time period.

5. Conclusion

The placement of ‘in modernity’ depends on the writer’s intention and what they want to emphasize. Whether it appears at the beginning or the end of a sentence, it helps set the context for the reader and directs attention to the modern era. Understanding this structure will help you use it more effectively in your writing.