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Fire1 Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Meaning of "claim to be"

Bob claims to be the only pupil for the job.

  1. Bob claims that he is the only pupil for the job.

  2. Bob claims that he will be the only pupil for the job.

  3. Bob claims that he is going to be the only pupil for the job.

  4. Bob claims that he must be the only pupil for the job.

  5. Bob claims that he should be the only pupil for the job.

What are the possible interpretations of the main sentence according to context?

  

Top answer

#1 is the most natural of the versions in your list. Bob is the only pupil for the job. The writer states this as a fact.

— Clive

  • #1 is the most natural of the versions in your list.
  • Bob is the only pupil for the job.
  • The writer states this as a fact.
  • Bob claims to be the only pupil for the job.
  • The writer sounds sceptical about the truth of this.
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1 Answers
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#1 is the most natural of the versions in your list.


Bob is the only pupil for the job. The writer states this as a fact.

Bob claims to be the only pupil for the job. The writer sounds sceptical about the truth of this.

Clive

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