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Handtalk Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Ambiguous or not?
Hi,
Is the sentence below ambiguous or not?
"It was five years before I started college."
I think the normal interpretation would be something like "Five years had passed and then I started college."
But, can it be interpreted as "It was five years before THAT I started college", and thus, could mean "I started college five years before."?
Thanks in advance.
Is the sentence below ambiguous or not?
"It was five years before I started college."
I think the normal interpretation would be something like "Five years had passed and then I started college."
But, can it be interpreted as "It was five years before THAT I started college", and thus, could mean "I started college five years before."?
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
Hi, Yes, there is some ambiguity. But the context would almost always make the meaning very clear. Clive
- Hi, Yes, there is some ambiguity.
- But the context would almost always make the meaning very clear.
- Clive
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6 Answers
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Hi,
Yes, there is some ambiguity. But the context would almost always make the meaning very clear.
Clive
Yes, there is some ambiguity. But the context would almost always make the meaning very clear.
Clive
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I have one more question, if you don't mind.
Can adding "later" as below desolve the umbiguity?
"It was five years later before I started college."
handtalk.
Can adding "later" as below desolve the umbiguity?
"It was five years later before I started college."
handtalk.
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Hi,
I have one more question, if you don't mind.
Can adding "later" as below desolve the umbiguity? resolve the ambiguity
"It was five years later before I started college."
I suppose so, but the phrase 'later before' might make the listener sa
I have one more question, if you don't mind.
Can adding "later" as below desolve the umbiguity? resolve the ambiguity
"It was five years later before I started college."
I suppose so, but the phrase 'later before' might make the listener sa
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