Do anything
1) I don't think he can do anything.
Normally that sentence would mean:
1a) I think he can't do anything.
Could it ever mean:
2) I don't think he can do just anything.
Consider this dialogue:
-He is very smart. He can solve any problem.
-I know he is smart, but I don't think he can solve any problem.
In this case, someone is echoing something that has already been said. Maybe one use 'any' in that way in other situations as well if the intonation is right?
Gratefully,
Navi
Top answer
There are two interpretations here - 'anything' could mean 'everything' in the sense of 'he could do anything in the world'. This is more about it being 'anything he chooses' and this isn't the usual interpretation of your example. You could legitimately say someone was 'unable to do anything', meaning 'not one thing', but you could argue it was not possible to do 'anything he wanted' as he is restricted.
- There are two interpretations here - 'anything' could mean 'everything' in the sense of 'he could do anything in the world'.
- This is more about it being 'anything he chooses' and this isn't the usual interpretation of your example.
- You could legitimately say someone was 'unable to do anything', meaning 'not one thing', but you could argue it was not possible to do 'anything he wanted' as he is restricted.
- Of course he could do something, just not the 'any' aspect of it.
- If you restrict 'anything' to be just that word, you really mean 'he can do nothing'.
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There are two interpretations here - 'anything' could mean 'everything' in the sense of 'he could do anything in the world'. This is more about it being 'anything he chooses' and this isn't the usual interpretation of your example.
You could legitimately say someone was 'unable to do anything', meaning 'not one thing', but you could argue it was not possible to do 'anything he wanted' a
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