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Navitasan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

All will be either

1) They will all dance or sing.
2) They will all either dance or sing.

3) All of them will dance or sing.
4) All of them will either dance or sing.

Which of the above correspond to:
a) Either all of them will dance or all of them will sing.
and which correspond to:
b) Each of them will either dance or sing.

I think 1-4 are all ambiguous. I think 'b' is the more probable meaning.

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

My interpretation is that ‘They will all’ and ‘All of them’ have the same meaning; and that ‘They will all either’ and ‘All of them will either’ have the same meaning. I also think that including ‘either’ suggests they will do one or the other; however, if there are several dance-songs performed, nothing would stop them changing functions. I agree that they are ambiguous.

— Wilpeter

  • My interpretation is that ‘They will all’ and ‘All of them’ have the same meaning; and that ‘They will all either’ and ‘All of them will either’ have the same meaning.
  • I also think that including ‘either’ suggests they will do one or the other; however, if there are several dance-songs performed, nothing would stop them changing functions.
  • I agree that they are ambiguous.
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1 Answers
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My interpretation is that ‘They will all’ and ‘All of them’ have the same meaning; and that ‘They will all either’ and ‘All of them will either’ have the same meaning.
I also think that including ‘either’ suggests they will do one or the other; however, if there are several dance-songs performed, nothing would stop them changing functions.
I agree that they are ambiguous.
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