I need help with the following questions

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

I need help which the following question,

What difference is made by emphasising the underlined words in each of these sentences?

i’ve used speech marks to represent the underlined words

I didn’t know your first wife spoke “Swedish”.

I didn’t know your first wife “spoke” Swedish.

I didn’t know your “first” wife spoke Swedish.

I “didn’t” know your first wife spoke Swedish.

I look forward to hearing your reply.

Thanks.[/u]

2

Hi Mkhasan,
I’m Mudi, an elementary English teacher in Jakarta, Indonesia. I’ll try to answer your question.
In my opinion, the underlined word emphasizes its importance.
I didn’t know your first wife spoke “Swedish”, not other languages
I didn’t know your first wife “spoke” Swedish, not kept silent or did other activities
I didn’t know your “first” wife spoke Swedish, not second or third and so on
I “didn’t” know your first wife spoke Swedish, not knew

3

This is a fun question:

I didn’t know your first wife spoke “Swedish”. I was aware of her competence in Dutch.

I didn’t know your first wife “spoke” Swedish. I’ve read much of her Swedish poetry, of course.

I didn’t know your “first” wife spoke Swedish. Knowing the second one spoke Swedish, I had expected a bit more variety in your linguistic selection of a spouse.

I “didn’t” know your first wife spoke Swedish. Perhaps you are confusing me with Sven, who is quite familiar with all the female speakers of Nordic languages, including your first wife.

That could also be expressed as “I” didn’t know …

Best regards,
Bill

4

Thank you very much Bill.