0
Azz Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
By the phone booth
a. They were standing behind the depot by the phone booth.
b. They were standing behind the depot, by the phone booth.
Do these sentences both mean the same?
I think (a) could be interpreted to be saying that the depot was by the phone booth. That would be a somewhat absurd interpretation. But is it the only one?
One could say: '...by the phone booth behind the depot.' But let's assume that we want to call attention to the depot first. That is the more important location.
Many thanks.
b. They were standing behind the depot, by the phone booth.
Do these sentences both mean the same?
I think (a) could be interpreted to be saying that the depot was by the phone booth. That would be a somewhat absurd interpretation. But is it the only one?
One could say: '...by the phone booth behind the depot.' But let's assume that we want to call attention to the depot first. That is the more important location.
Many thanks.
Top answer
As you say, (a) could mean that the depot was by the phone booth. I think, though, that it is more likely to be interpreted the same as (b). This is because we do not usually identify a (presumably) large and prominent thing by its proximity to a small and relatively insignificant thing.
- As you say, (a) could mean that the depot was by the phone booth.
- I think, though, that it is more likely to be interpreted the same as (b).
- This is because we do not usually identify a (presumably) large and prominent thing by its proximity to a small and relatively insignificant thing.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
As you say, (a) could mean that the depot was by the phone booth. I think, though, that it is more likely to be interpreted the same as (b). This is because we do not usually identify a (presumably) large and prominent thing by its proximity to a small and relatively insignificant thing.
0
Related Questions