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JungKim Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

She bought him a nice car.

She bought him a nice car.

Assuming you don't have more context, I think it's clear from the above sentence that she bought a nice car.

But is it also clear that she gave the car to him?
Or does it depend on further context?
  

Top answer

It means she gave him the car then or shortly after unless the context suggests or goes on to suggest otherwise. d

  • It means she gave him the car then or shortly after unless the context suggests or goes on to suggest otherwise.
  • d
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4 Answers
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It means she gave him the car then or shortly after unless the context suggests or goes on to suggest otherwise.
d
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So it means that she gave him the car but that context can contradict this fact as follows?
She bought him a nice car yesterday, but hasn't given it to him yet.

In other words, does this sentence make sense?
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Yes, just that sort of thing. The words that explain the car has not been given can also occur some sentences or even paragraphs later. It's just that when you read a person has bought a thing for someone you assume in your mind the usual length of time for how long it takes to give it to the person unless you learn otherwise. If the car is being bought for someone in a different country, you'll n

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