Was my reply correct regarding the position of the adverb (still)? I just felt it more natural than the usual position i.e (after the first auxiliary and before the main verb):

Friend: I am sorry for keeping you.

Me: It's Ok I still can wait a little more.

I wish you'd mentioned here which posting you're referring to, Tonyjab.

At any rate, please read my answer to Sayed by clicking on the following link:

http://thegrammarexchange.info...40600179/m/825105562

I am sorry Richard but the link does not answer my question! The sentence was:

- I still can wait a little more.
should I have said:

- I can still wait a little more.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tonyjab,

quote:

It's Ok I still can wait a little more.

The normal word order would be 'can still wait.'

However, it is possible to use 'still' before the auxiliary in 'still can waitto emphasize the 'still' as in 'long time.'

This combination is not bad English, but it is unusual.

The New York Times has over 10,000 examples in the past 30 days for 'can still,' like this:

Mr. Wong, a retired sign maker who speaks English, can still get by with his Cantonese, which remains the preferred language in his circle
_______

The Times has over 10,000 examples in the past 30 days for 'still can,' but most are not like this one:

While complication rates are coming down as doctors gain experience, the procedure still can sometimes damage the heart or cause strokes. ...

Most are negative sentences or short referring sentences, like these:

He was an incredible person, and I still can't believe he's really gone. He'll be missed by so many. We love you, Ajile. ...

I really can't wait to see it via video if I still can. He is certainly one of the masters out there, and presented one of the best show in ...
_______

So, in your sentence, Tonyjab, 'still can' is fine. 'Can still' could be used, but it is not the norm.

I am not trying to be smart or something here but I just feel the sentence very normal; I mean Can't we consider it one of the special cases where the adverb gives greater emphasis when it comes before the auxiliary just like:

They surely will remember.

Where the adverb "surely" could have come between the first auxiliary and the main verb?
In other words "still", in my previous sentence, modifies ability "can" more than the act of "waiting".
I am confused

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tonyjab,

Yes, you can. Exactly.

Thank you very much Rachel. Things are so clear now