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New2grammar Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

bought a book

"Mary bought a book for James. " means Mary helped James buy the book or Mary bought a book and gave to James as a gift"

Thanks!
  

Top answer

It could mean either, depending on the fuller context.

— Feebs11

  • It could mean either, depending on the fuller context.
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3 Answers
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It could mean either, depending on the fuller context.
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New2grammar"Mary bought a book for James. " means Mary helped James buy the book or Mary bought a book and gave to James as a gift"

Thanks!

Which meaning "Mary bought James a book" carries? I believe it could only mean "Mary bought a book and gave to James as a gift"
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Mary bought a book for James doesn't mean that she gave it to James. It means that she intended to give it to James later. This is the usual meaning.

But for also means in place of or instead of. So an alternate meaning is that James could not buy the book himself. Perhaps he was busy and had no time to buy it so he asked Mary to buy it
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