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Azz Posted 23 years ago
Grammar
Ambiguity?
Is this sentence ambiguous:
1-He can't wear anything.
First meaning: He can wear nothing.
Second meaning: He can't wear just anything. He has to wear something special.
1-He can't wear anything.
First meaning: He can wear nothing.
Second meaning: He can't wear just anything. He has to wear something special.
Top answer
I think your second meaning to the sentence is more appropriate.
- I think your second meaning to the sentence is more appropriate.
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2 Answers
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I think the sentence 'He can't wear anything' as it is, confers the first meaning of 'He can wear nothing.'
It's a simple negation and the two sentences are totally equivalent as far as semantics is concerned.
If you want to confer the second meaning, you'd have to say it as 'He can't wear just anything.'
It's a simple negation and the two sentences are totally equivalent as far as semantics is concerned.
If you want to confer the second meaning, you'd have to say it as 'He can't wear just anything.'
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