One time or one copy?
Application for a replacement degree certificate from LSE has one sentence as follows:
"Only one replacement certificate will ever be issued to an applicant."
There is a debate on a Facebook group. One group of people think that this sentence means that "each applicant can only get one copy of a replacement degree certificate" while another group of people insist that it means that "each applicant will only get a replacement degree certificate once (one time)".
To me the major difference between "one copy" and "one time" is that if you are allowed to apply for a replacement degree certificate only "one copy", you can't get more than one copy this time, but you may apply for another replacement degree certificate later, if your replacement degree certificate is destroyed in a fire, for example. However, if you are only allowed to apply for a replacement degree certificate once, you don't have the chance to apply for another replacement degree certificate the second time.
I wonder how a native speaker of English will interpret this sentence. Thanks.
Top answer
" This unambiguously means that you can get one replacement certificate, but after that, you can never get another one. I am having trouble believing that LSE is that harsh about it. You are right to wonder.
- " This unambiguously means that you can get one replacement certificate, but after that, you can never get another one.
- I am having trouble believing that LSE is that harsh about it.
- You are right to wonder.
- It is quite possible it is worded wrong.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
wswu0401"Only one replacement certificate will ever be issued to an applicant."
This unambiguously means that you can get one replacement certificate, but after that, you can never get another one. I am having trouble believing that LSE is that harsh about it. You are right to wonder. It is quite possible it is worded wrong.
0
Related Questions