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Navitasan Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Small dogs or cats

1-The animals we take care of are small dogs and cats.
2-The animals we take care of are small dogs or cats.
3-The animals we take care of are either small dogs or cats.

Can one tell if 'small' modifies 'cats' or not?

Gratefully,
Navi.


  

Top answer

navitasan Can one tell if 'small' modifies 'cats' or not? It will be assumed that 'small' modifies 'cats' in each of those sentences unless you put 'cats' first: cats and small dogs . CJ

— CalifJim

  • navitasan Can one tell if 'small' modifies 'cats' or not?
  • It will be assumed that 'small' modifies 'cats' in each of those sentences unless you put 'cats' first: cats and small dogs .
  • CJ
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3 Answers
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navitasanCan one tell if 'small' modifies 'cats' or not?
It will be assumed that 'small' modifies 'cats' in each of those sentences unless you put 'cats' first: cats and small dogs.

CJ
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Thank you very much CalifJim for all your replies.

How about:

3-We found a small dog and cats in the house.

Would 'small' modify 'cats'?
Is the sentence ambiguous?

And how about:

4-Small dogs, or cats, can go through that hole.
5-Either small dog
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navitasan3-We found a small dog and cats in the house.Would 'small' modify 'cats'?
No. Most people would say or write "a small dog and some cats".
navitasan4-Small dogs, or cats, can go through that hole.5-Either small dogs, or cats, can go through that hole.Will the commas make it clear that the 'cats' are not small?
No.
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