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Dinger Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Flatter
Definitions 3a & 3b of 'flatter' from this dictionary:
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/flatter
3a: to show or describe (someone or something) in a way that is very favorable or too favorable
3b : to cause (someone or something) to look as attractive as possible
The definitions also include some usage examples:
1 That portrait flatters him. (for def 3a)
2 That dress really flatters your figure. (for def 3b)
Using definition 3a, sentence 1 is read in a negative light, but sentence 2 is read in a positive light.
Could I forcefully apply definition 3a to sentence 2, and definition 3b to sentence 1, so that sentence 1 is read in a positive light, but sentence 2 is read in a negative light?
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/flatter
3a: to show or describe (someone or something) in a way that is very favorable or too favorable
3b : to cause (someone or something) to look as attractive as possible
The definitions also include some usage examples:
1 That portrait flatters him. (for def 3a)
2 That dress really flatters your figure. (for def 3b)
Using definition 3a, sentence 1 is read in a negative light, but sentence 2 is read in a positive light.
Could I forcefully apply definition 3a to sentence 2, and definition 3b to sentence 1, so that sentence 1 is read in a positive light, but sentence 2 is read in a negative light?
Top answer
I don't know what you mean by forcefully applying a definition. And anyway, you don't apply the definition, the definition applies or not in the context.
- I don't know what you mean by forcefully applying a definition.
- And anyway, you don't apply the definition, the definition applies or not in the context.
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3 Answers
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I don't know what you mean by forcefully applying a definition. And anyway, you don't apply the definition, the definition applies or not in the context.
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Could there be ambiguity as to which definition should apply to which sentence? It is possible that, the portrait makes a handsome guy more handsome, and the dress makes the ugly woman look good.
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dingerCould there be ambiguity as to which definition should apply to which sentence? It is possible that, the portrait makes a handsome guy more handsome, and the dress makes the ugly woman look good.The artist made him look better than he actually does. There is no getting around that. The dress flatters her figure, whatever her figure is, but if she's a tw
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