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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Amiguity

Would you tell me at least two kinds of understandings about the sentence "They are lying on the grass."

Thanks!

  

Top answer

The obvious is the use of two different verbs (lie - to speak a falsehood; lie - to assume a supine position), whose present participles, at least, are identical. Edit. Sorry, "supine" is too specific.

— Avangi

  • The obvious is the use of two different verbs (lie - to speak a falsehood; lie - to assume a supine position), whose present participles, at least, are identical.
  • Edit.
  • Sorry, "supine" is too specific.
  • "Reclining" is better.
  • They are standing on the grass, telling lies.
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31 Answers
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The obvious is the use of two different verbs (lie - to speak a falsehood; lie - to assume a supine position), whose present participles, at least, are identical.

Edit. Sorry, "supine" is too specific. "Reclining" is better.

They are standing on the grass, telling lies.

They are lying on the grass, looking at the stars.
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AvangiThey are standing on the grass, telling lies.
Hi Avangi

How do you know they are standingas they are telling lies? Hmm... forget about it. I think we both need two
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AvangiEdit. Sorry, "supine" is too specific. "Reclining" is better.


Is it specific because people distinguish two reclining positions - the prone position when a person is lying face down, and the supine position when a person is lying face up ?

Am I correct or off-base ?

Thanks !
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Anonymous

Would you tell me at least two kinds of understandings about the sentence "They are lying on the grass."

they can be animate or inanimate. As an animate, we conjure up an image of people reclining on a lawn, a couple, or even a large group, perhaps -- or even animals. As an inanimate, we conjure up an image of objects that are loca
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Would anyone agree that it makes it more clear to say "They are lying down on the grass" to paint a picture of reclining on the grass looking up to the starry sky, perhaps ?
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GoodmanWould anyone agree that it makes it more clear to say "They are lying down on the grass" to paint a picture of reclining on the grass looking up to the starry sky, perhaps ?
Adding the adverb indicates that they are assuming a reclining position.

CB
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Hi CB,

What perplexing concept!

The phrase" lying on" already implies a "reclining" position, doesn't it?

THe adverb "down" simply validates it, in my opinion.

Without the adverb "down", one should have no problem identifying the meaning of this line from the song by Stehphen Bishop.

"It Maight Be You"

"Lying on the sand, whatching se
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MrPernickety the prone position when a person is lying face down, and the supine position when a person is lying face up ?
exactly. [Y]
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Avangi
MrPernickety the prone position when a person is lying face down, and the supine position when a person is lying face up ?
exactly.
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