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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Correct Interpretation: Using a mobile phone...
Hello,
I read from the newspaper today the following excerpt. Kindly advise how you would interpret this without further context? Thank you in advance.
Using a mobile phone for four years or more could double the risk of developing tinnitus.
1. Does 'a mobile phone' here mean using one and only one phone for at least 4 years could double the risk?
2. Or does it mean using different phones, but one at a time for at least 4 years could double the risk?
3. Also, if we change 'a mobile phone' to any of the following, how does the meaning change?
Using mobile phones for four years or more could double the risk of developing tinnitus.
Using any mobile phone for four years or more could double the risk of developing tinnitus.
Using any mobile phones for four years or more could double the risk of developing tinnitus.
I read from the newspaper today the following excerpt. Kindly advise how you would interpret this without further context? Thank you in advance.
Using a mobile phone for four years or more could double the risk of developing tinnitus.
1. Does 'a mobile phone' here mean using one and only one phone for at least 4 years could double the risk?
2. Or does it mean using different phones, but one at a time for at least 4 years could double the risk?
3. Also, if we change 'a mobile phone' to any of the following, how does the meaning change?
Using mobile phones for four years or more could double the risk of developing tinnitus.
Using any mobile phone for four years or more could double the risk of developing tinnitus.
Using any mobile phones for four years or more could double the risk of developing tinnitus.
Top answer
"a mobile phone" could mean the same mobile phone for four years, or it could mean multiple different phones. It doesn't matter here. " means pretty much the same thing to me, but the plural seems a bit odd and unnecessary because there seems no reason why it should matter.
- "a mobile phone" could mean the same mobile phone for four years, or it could mean multiple different phones.
- It doesn't matter here.
- " means pretty much the same thing to me, but the plural seems a bit odd and unnecessary because there seems no reason why it should matter.
- " sounds to me like you are emphasising that every mobile phone brand has the same problem.
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4 Answers
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"a mobile phone" could mean the same mobile phone for four years, or it could mean multiple different phones. It doesn't matter here.
"Using mobile phones..." means pretty much the same thing to me, but the plural seems a bit odd and unnecessary because there seems no reason why it should matter.
"Using any mobile phone(s)..." sounds to me like you are emphasising
"Using mobile phones..." means pretty much the same thing to me, but the plural seems a bit odd and unnecessary because there seems no reason why it should matter.
"Using any mobile phone(s)..." sounds to me like you are emphasising
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I misunderstood that the use of plural 'mobile phones' in the sentence would emphasise multiple different phones, whereas the singular 'a mobile phone' means using the same mobile phone. Thank you, then, for your clarification.
I see 'any' just emphasises every mobile phone regardless of brand.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
I see 'any' just emphasises every mobile phone regardless of brand.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
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A MOBIl PHONE means any of typical mobile phones (generic function of the indefinite article), so #2 seems to be correct.
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Thank you, Darya, for sharing your thoughts on this. I appreciate it.
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