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John69_24 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Is this the correct use of the word 'anything'?
I realise that 'anything' is a singular pronoun, however, I am trying to determine whether the folllowing is correct or not.
Sign in the kitchen: "Wash and dry anything that you use"
Does this mean if I use 3 things I only need to wash and dry 1 thing to comply with the instruction, or does it mean I need to wash and dry 3 individual things as I used them all?
For example, how does that leave the things I didn't wash and dry? How would that work?
I am wondering if this is an issue of definition of the word 'anything' or rather an issue of context?
Thanks,
J
Sign in the kitchen: "Wash and dry anything that you use"
Does this mean if I use 3 things I only need to wash and dry 1 thing to comply with the instruction, or does it mean I need to wash and dry 3 individual things as I used them all?
For example, how does that leave the things I didn't wash and dry? How would that work?
I am wondering if this is an issue of definition of the word 'anything' or rather an issue of context?
Thanks,
J
Top answer
The instruction surely means that you are supposed to wash each of the three items that you have used, not just one of them. Otherwise, it would have been written like this: "Wash and dry something that you have used" : ) (to ask you to wash and dry at least one thing). I think the meaning of the word "any" depends on whether the sentence is affirmative or not.
- The instruction surely means that you are supposed to wash each of the three items that you have used, not just one of them.
- Otherwise, it would have been written like this: "Wash and dry something that you have used" : ) (to ask you to wash and dry at least one thing).
- I think the meaning of the word "any" depends on whether the sentence is affirmative or not.
- In an affirmative sentence, "any" is usually used to mean "each".
- " Am I right?
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3 Answers
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The instruction surely means that you are supposed to wash each of the three items that you have used, not just one of them. Otherwise, it would have been written like this: "Wash and dry something that you have used" : ) (to ask you to wash and dry at least one thing).
I think the meaning of the word "any" depends on whether the sentence is affirmative or not. In an affirmative sentence, "
I think the meaning of the word "any" depends on whether the sentence is affirmative or not. In an affirmative sentence, "
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That was my understanding also, but I have come across someone with an alternate view as per this thread:
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Of course: 'that you use' is a clause modifying, that is defining, 'any'. Which 'any'?-- the ones you use.
'Wash any dishes' means wash one or more, or none for that matter, because the 'any' is undefined.
'Wash any dishes that you use' means the used ones should be washed.
'Wash any dishes' means wash one or more, or none for that matter, because the 'any' is undefined.
'Wash any dishes that you use' means the used ones should be washed.
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