continually

Question

Just as life itself places us in situations that are never twice quite the same, so language allows us continually to express novel propositions.Which does the 'continually' modify?(1) allows (us)(2) to express (novel propositions)

Maple · Accepted Answer

IMO, It's the second one.

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Added:

After reading CJ's comments, I sensed my choice above was wrong.

CalifJim · Answer

Perhaps it's true that language allows us to express novel propositions continually, i.e., allows us to continue ceaselessly to express novel propositions, but that's an awful lot of expressing! I imagine one would get rather exhausted by actually carrying out such a process!

Therefore, I find it hard to believe that the author could really have intended such a reading. I can only conclude that the intended reading is that language continually allows us to create such expressions.

Short answer: 1.

CJ

Taka · Answer

CalifJimPerhaps it's true that language allows us to express novel propositions continually, i.e., allows us to continue ceaselessly to express novel propositions, but that's an awful lot of expressing! I imagine one would get rather exhausted by actually carrying out such a process! Therefore, I find it hard to believe that the author could really have intended such a reading. I can only conclude that the intended reading is that language continually allows us to create such expressions.

That makes sense!

Thanks, CJ!

continually

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