Can you imagine a context where you would use sentence "x"
Suppose I give someone a sentence and say: I can't imagine any context for this sentence. Can you imagine any?
Now consider the sentence:
a) Can you imagine a context where you would use sentence "x"?
Q: Are we requesting the person to try to make an effort to imagine a context where..., or are we just asking whether he is able to imagine (or capable of imagining) such a context?
Top answer
Could be either. But the context will usually make the intended meaning clear. Consider this simpler example.
- Could be either.
- But the context will usually make the intended meaning clear.
- Consider this simpler example.
- eg it's chilly in here.
- Can you close the window?
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Could be either.
But the context will usually make the intended meaning clear.
Consider this simpler example.
eg it's chilly in here. Can you close the window?
Do you think the speaker is just asking whether you are capable of closing it? Or is he asking you to close the window.
Clive?
0
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