What do the sentence means?

Question

Hi, everybody:I have seen the sentence "They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working. " in an essay."They're not working." means what?There are two explanations that I guess below.1. According an arrangement, they will not work tomorrow.2. The arrangement, namely that they will work tomorrow, doesn't exist.which explanation is right?Thanks a lot in advance.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I vote for number one. It's kind of a grey area. In this case, it's more a matter of context, tradition, convention, than a matter of grammar. By that I mean, you're familiar with a standard situation, and you're familiar with how we traditionally describe that particular situation.

If it were a type two, the situation ~~would~~ could (edit.) be, "Can you play tennis with me tomorrow?" (reply) "I don't know. They (management) don't know yet if we're working tomorrow."

By comparison, "The clock is not working" would be an example of your number two.

Good question, BTW.

Monoclide · Answer

I am going to go with number two.

However, I'd switch the sentences. "They're not working tomorrow. They can play tennis with you."

I am not liking the flow of logic in the way they wrote it. If you assume they work everyday, or even have another commitment, (which they obviously do since they added the 2nd sentence), then when you read the first sentence, you think, "They are working tomorrow AND playing tennis?" When you read the 2nd sentence, you realize that they are not, and can cross of that argument.

.. If that made any sense. But, one thing I remember from when I learned Italian is that you put the most important information first. That way, in the case of you getting cut off, you will still have a general idea. For example, you invite a friend over and you are giving them your address.

In Italian, they say "Castle Street number 40,"
In English, we say, "40 Castle Street,"

If the conversation was cut off after the first subject, "Castle Street" and "40", respectively. Which one will get them farther? Knowing your house number or knowing the street?

More so - If you say, "They are not working tomorrow," first, you are clearing their arrangements for tomorrow. They'll have nothing to do. Then, when you say, "They can play tennis with you," - you are filling in something to do.

Clive · Answer

HI guys,
I have seen the sentence "They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working. " in an essay.
"They're not working." means what?

As noted earlier, context usually clarifies matters, But without any context, here's how I see this.

The most likely meaning is that they have jobs, but are not going to go to work tomorrow.
There can be many possible reasons, eg
- Tomorrow is Saturday.
- Tomorrow is a special holiday of some kind.
- They are going to use some of their vacation time tomorrow.
- They have called their boss, and told him they are feeling sick and can't come to work tomorrow..

Another possible interpretation is that they are unemployed.
This is much less likely. If the speaker wanted to tell you a serious fact like this, he probably wouldn't do it casually while talking about tennis.

Best wishes, Clive

Avangi · Answer

monoclide one thing I remember from when I learned Italian is that you put the most important information first. That way, in the case of you getting cut off, you will still have a general idea.

Hi, monoclide,
Sorry, I can never resist a bad joke. Please forgive me.

Anyway, I hope things are getting a little less chancy over there.

Best wishes, - A.

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