Clarification on semantics
Hi, I would like to clarify on the meaning for the following sentences.
Jean, Dave and Jacob have done diving before.
For the above sentence does it mean that each of them has done diving before? i.e. All of them have done diving before
How about this one:
Jean, Dave and Jacob have bullied a boy before
This one seems to suggest that the trio bullied a boy together before instead of meaning each of them has bullied a boy?
Thanks.
Top answer
Jean, Dave and Jacob have done diving before. That tells us nothing about whether they dove together or independently. anonymous Jean, Dave and Jacob have bullied a boy before That tells us nothing about whether they bullied together or independently.
- Jean, Dave and Jacob have done diving before.
- That tells us nothing about whether they dove together or independently.
- anonymous Jean, Dave and Jacob have bullied a boy before That tells us nothing about whether they bullied together or independently.
- Both sentences need further content to disambiguate them.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
anonymous I would like to clarify on the meaning for the following sentences.Jean, Dave and Jacob have done diving before.
That tells us nothing about whether they dove together or independently.
anonymousJean, Dave and Jacob have bullied a boy before
That tells us nothing about whether they bullied together or ind
0
Related Questions