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Navitasan Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

A tool to open the box

1) John threw a tool to me to open the box.
2) John threw a tool to open the box to me.
3) John threw me a tool to open the box.

Can we tell for sure
a) who is going to use the tool
and
b) what he or she is going to use it for

Couldn't the sentences just be defining the type of tool he threw to me?
Is it possible that I was to use it for something else?
Is it possible that I was to give it to someone else to use?
Is it possible that the tool wasn't really a tool made specifically for opening boxes, but I (or someone else) was to use it to open the box. (Say, he threw a screwdriver to me so that I (or someone else maybe) could use it to open the box.

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

You can't be 100% sure of the intended meaning. All those meanings are theoretically possible. But usually the context and common sense will make the meaning very clear.

— Clive

  • You can't be 100% sure of the intended meaning.
  • All those meanings are theoretically possible.
  • But usually the context and common sense will make the meaning very clear.
  • eg John threw me a tool to open the box.
  • I did.
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1 Answers
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You can't be 100% sure of the intended meaning. All those meanings are theoretically possible.

But usually the context and common sense will make the meaning very clear.

eg John threw me a tool to open the box. I did.
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