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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Linguistics Studies
Meaning of using quantitative adjective in statement?
For example...is the statement:
"Domesticated house cats are one of the largest mammals in the world." and accurate statement? I would wager no, of course not.
But someone else stated that it was accurate, because there are many smaller mammals in the world. And all that is necessary for this statement ot be true/accurate, is that it belong in a group "larger/largest".
If we have 2 groups "All mammals the size of a cat or larger" and "All mammals smaller than a cat", then the former group is the "largest" set of mammals, and therefore true.
Other statements that must be accurate then would be:
"A BB Gun is one of the most powerful weapons in the world" (since anything could be used as a weapon, even a hotdog.
To me, this is absurd and lacks any value as a way to communicate an idea.
However, I am unaware of any "official" rule that disqualifies the statement from being "accurate". Is there some standard that should be employed here? Or is it purely subjective?
"Domesticated house cats are one of the largest mammals in the world." and accurate statement? I would wager no, of course not.
But someone else stated that it was accurate, because there are many smaller mammals in the world. And all that is necessary for this statement ot be true/accurate, is that it belong in a group "larger/largest".
If we have 2 groups "All mammals the size of a cat or larger" and "All mammals smaller than a cat", then the former group is the "largest" set of mammals, and therefore true.
Other statements that must be accurate then would be:
"A BB Gun is one of the most powerful weapons in the world" (since anything could be used as a weapon, even a hotdog.
To me, this is absurd and lacks any value as a way to communicate an idea.
However, I am unaware of any "official" rule that disqualifies the statement from being "accurate". Is there some standard that should be employed here? Or is it purely subjective?
Top answer
I think the intended meaning is " Cats are one of the largest number of domesticated mammal specis in the world" vs. " THe latter has a completely different meaning, although gramamtically it's correct.
- I think the intended meaning is " Cats are one of the largest number of domesticated mammal specis in the world" vs.
- " THe latter has a completely different meaning, although gramamtically it's correct.
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8 Answers
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I think the intended meaning is "Cats are one of the largest number of domesticated mammal specis in the world" vs. "house cats are one of the largest mammals in the world."
THe latter has a completely different meaning, although gramamtically it's correct.
THe latter has a completely different meaning, although gramamtically it's correct.
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No, it isn't about the number, but the actual physical size.
Like I said, it sounds absurd, but then, if there is no "standard" or rule by which to measure, then pretty much 'anything' goes it seems...right?
Like I said, it sounds absurd, but then, if there is no "standard" or rule by which to measure, then pretty much 'anything' goes it seems...right?
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Time allowed to edit expired.
I stand correct: The latter has a completely different meaning, although grammatically it's correct.
I stand correct: The latter has a completely different meaning, although grammatically it's correct.
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So it is legitimate to say...
- A BB Gun is one of the most powerful weapons in the world.
- Grey Tabbies are one of the largest mammals in the world.
- A Tri-Cycle is one of the fastest vehicles on the planet.
- A 1960's TV remote, is one of the most technological advanced tools in human history.
- The African tribe of Mursi (population
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Hi,
Truth and grammar are two different things. Do you find that surprising?
eg Human beings have seven arms.
eg The Earth is flat.
Best wishes, Clive
Truth and grammar are two different things. Do you find that surprising?
eg Human beings have seven arms.
eg The Earth is flat.
Best wishes, Clive
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But grammar is much more than simply syntax. It also involves morphology, phonetics, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics.
"It the field of linguistics that covers the rules governing the use of any given natural language."
The issue is the meaning of the statement. Your statements are addressing specific characteristics of a simple subject. It's quite easy to determine the m
"It the field of linguistics that covers the rules governing the use of any given natural language."
The issue is the meaning of the statement. Your statements are addressing specific characteristics of a simple subject. It's quite easy to determine the m
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Hi,
I accidentally verified the last post (about grammar/linguistics), and so far can't find a way to 'unverify' it.
Meanwhile, I'm going to transfer this thread to the Lingustics area of the forum.
Best wishes, Clive
I accidentally verified the last post (about grammar/linguistics), and so far can't find a way to 'unverify' it.
Meanwhile, I'm going to transfer this thread to the Lingustics area of the forum.
Best wishes, Clive
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AnonymousDomesticated house cats are one of the largest mammals in the worldOrdinary language logic is not the same as mathematical logic. A large butterfly is not larger than a small elephant, even though, other things being equal, "large" is 'mathematically' always larger than "small". There is no absolute meaning of words like "large" and "small".
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