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Ipodmini Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

Is 'given' ambiguous?

Given the limited enrolment capacity of Hong Kong universities, mainland universities will remain the first choice for the majority of mainland students.

I find that "given" is ambiguous, do you think so ?

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3 given
Given is used when indicating a possible situation in which someone has the opportunity or ability to do something. For example, given the chance means `if I had the chance'.
Write down the sort of thing you would like to do, given the opportunity.
Given patience, successful breeding of this species can be achieved.
PREP

4 given
If you say given that something is the case, you mean taking that fact into account.
Usually, I am sensible with money, as I have to be, given that I don't earn that much.
PHR-CONJ-SUBORD
= considering
5 given
If you say given something, you mean taking that thing into account.
Given the uncertainty over Leigh's future I was left with little other choice.
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Could it has the 3rd explanation or the 4th and 5th ?

That is, does the sentence mean "If the capacity is limited..." or "Considering the capacity is limited.."

Is it ambiguous?Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

It's the fourth and fifth meaning (these are the same thing)- taking into acount that that the universities have a limited enrolment capacity. It's not ambiguous.

  • It's the fourth and fifth meaning (these are the same thing)- taking into acount that that the universities have a limited enrolment capacity.
  • It's not ambiguous.
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2 Answers
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It's the fourth and fifth meaning (these are the same thing)- taking into acount that that the universities have a limited enrolment capacity.

It's not ambiguous.

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