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Azz Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

So that

1) He pushed me so that I fell.

Isn't this sentence ambiguous?

First possible meaning:
a) He pushed me and the result was that I fell. He pushed me and I fell. (result clause)
Second possible meaning:
b) He pushed me in such a way that I fell. (manner clause)


I am sure (1) could mean (a). I am not sure it could mean (b).

2) He pushed me so, that I fell.

I think (2) would mean (b), but it is overly formal. I don't think anyone would use it.

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

2) is not right. 1) has two possible meanings, as you noted, but in actual usage the context would make it clear which one you mean, so there would be no problem with ambiguity. Moreover, the b) meaning is the one that would most often be heard today (in the US).

— Anonymous

  • 2) is not right.
  • 1) has two possible meanings, as you noted, but in actual usage the context would make it clear which one you mean, so there would be no problem with ambiguity.
  • Moreover, the b) meaning is the one that would most often be heard today (in the US).
  • The a) meaning is rarely heard today.
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1 Answers
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2) is not right.

1) has two possible meanings, as you noted, but in actual usage the context would make it clear which one you mean, so there would be no problem with ambiguity. Moreover, the b) meaning is the one that would most often be heard today (in the US). The a) meaning is rarely heard today.
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