Questions tagged [semantics]
The semantics tag has no usage guidance.
37
questions
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11 views
In possession or in the possession
Do you agree with this interpretation?
Jack was found in possession of drugs. (He had drugs)
Jack was found in the possession of drugs. (He was obsessed with drugs. Or even, drugs had him.)
1
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1answer
41 views
generic (vs general)
I do see that questions about this couple have been posted before (What is the difference between "general" and "generic"?, What is the difference between "general" and &...
0
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1answer
71 views
Is ‘happy darkness’ semantically correct?
Is ‘happy darkness’ semantically correct? It means a dark thing is happy, so darkness is happy.
dark shape, dark feeling, dark taste, etc.
I asked this question because I cannot understand ‘hot summer’...
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1answer
27 views
I wonder if there are some typos in this sentence: Ashely had pushed her past her patience pique
While reading a book I encountered the sentence I don't understand. Please give me some advice.
Situation: During a class, a student, Ashley Bonny is caught being lackadaisical when she should pay ...
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13 views
have+to go or have to go
I have to go now. I have to leave now. I have to study Englsih.
Can I stop after "have" for a moment?
I have (a few seconds later like 2~3 and continue to say) to go now.
Or Do I have to ...
1
vote
1answer
21 views
the whole is wide in one part?
Bicycles are parked where the sidewalk is wide.
The sidewalk is wide here.
If I want to say bicycles are parked on the wide part of the sidewalk or this part of the sidewalk is wide, are they ...
1
vote
1answer
32 views
It was one of a few houses (that were) (fully) built?
It was one of a few houses (that were) (fully) built.
I want to say that the house was done, does just built mean that or should it be fully built ?
and is that were necessary or optional?
1
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1answer
44 views
What does “Therapist and client relationship” mean?
What does "therapist and client relationship" mean? And is there a short description for it or synonym?
B:‘’My mother mentioned you, often.’’
A: ‘’Strange, she never mentioned you to ...
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2answers
50 views
“Right” Answers in the IELTS Reading Section
Friends,
My concerns are about the suggested answers of the Reading section in the Official IELTS 14 Practice book. I'm providing the context, question(s) in concern and it's official answer.
the ...
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2answers
30 views
Case that is philosophically right or wrong, but semantically wrong
If we see that there is a red apple, but someone says 'we see that there is a red apple, but it's green.' Then, is it semantically wrong?
0
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1answer
45 views
Subtle impatience with “would”?
In her work, Sabine forgot to check the validity of some figures.
Robert, one of her colleagues reviewing her work before approving it, wrote in his remarks: "Wouldn't we need to check the ...
0
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1answer
34 views
How do I know when to use the perfect infinitive and simple infinitive?
Most of the time they have the same meaning as in:
It was stupid of me to say anything on Twitter
It was stupid of me to have said anything on Twitter
Luis deserved to earn that promotion
Luis ...
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1answer
6 views
Using “the” with past participle but not with the present participle
I am currently working on a book review of verb presentation in two texts. I am contemplating the nominal function of present participles. Of course, we know that a present participle is called a ...
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1answer
13 views
Is this sentence a contradiction in terms?
The sentence is "The amendment has the effect of disqualifying the unqualified"
Is it accurate to call the amendment a contradiction in terms?
0
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1answer
38 views
What is the semantic difference between everybody and anybody in `doing` context?
Please explain what should I choose for what context in the following examples:
it lets everybody do whatever they want
it lets anybody do whatever they want
What is the semantic difference?
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2answers
41 views
“high-tech hubris”
For office innovators, the unrealized dream of the ‘paperless’ office is a classic example of high-tech hubris. Today’s office drone is drowning in more paper than ever before.
Then the “high-tech ...
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1answer
45 views
Looking to name a specific semantic relation
When one makes a choice, he is faced with some alternatives: "go by car" or "go by bus"; "prefer sightseeing" or "go shopping", "buy a house" or "...
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1answer
17 views
What is the difference between “criteria of” and “criteria for”?
The criteria of 'dog-ness' are the following...
The criteria for an animal to be a dog are the following...
Are both phrases correct and, if so, what's the difference between them? Are 'of' and 'for' ...
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1answer
36 views
usage: scarcely any
In the following sentences, the use of "any" seems correct in the first sentence but incorrect in the second. Do you know why?
Scarcely any space occupied by John is clean.
The porky fellow ...
1
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1answer
24 views
Can 'hardly' convey two opposite meanings based on its location in a sentence?
Is there a semantic difference between these two sentences?
I defended the case quite hardly.
vs.
I hardly defended the case.
For my understanding, these two sentences have an opposite ...
-1
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1answer
37 views
Whether this sentence is grammatically and semantically correct? [closed]
Indian constitution is not as flexible and rigid as British constitution and American constitution respectively.
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2answers
77 views
meaning: may well V
In the following exchange, "you may well ask" is used after a question has been asked.
‘What’s all the noise?’ ‘You may well ask.’
But I'm wondering whether "may well V" is normally used after the ...
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2answers
71 views
Why is “was” here? HTML5 was the fifth and last major version of HTML
HTML5 was the fifth and last major version of HTML that is a World
Wide Web Consortium (W3C) recommendation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTML5
Why is it "HTML5 was" instead of "HTML5 is"?
What ...
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votes
2answers
8k views
What class are you studying?
It is a tendency among teachers of English in India to ask and teach sentences of this kind in the class.
What class are you studying?
Inwhich class are you studying?
...
-1
votes
1answer
110 views
I thought/ didn't think you were/ not coming
We usually say :
I don't think he will pass.
Not
I think he will not pass.
I didn't think he was coming.
But not I thought you were not coming.
I know that it is called ...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
If a sentence is quashed, does it mean that there's no sentence at all anymore?
If a sentence is quashed, does it mean that there's no sentence at all anymore (i.e. the convicted is acquitted) or, if a sentence is only reduced or, say, replaced with probation, the word's ...
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1answer
19 views
Does the verb 'apply' necessarily imply that you ask that something be given to you? Can it be used if there's no direct personal gain?
For example, if a person or some nonprofit sends implicating information to a law enforcement agency and requests that company A should be investigated and, if found guilty, punished because they ...
1
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1answer
90 views
The school is open from 10 A.M to 5 P.M
I know that open is an ergative verb and it can be used transitively and intransitively and open is also an adjective.
The school opens at 10 A.M and closes at 5 P.M.
The school is opened at ...
-1
votes
1answer
58 views
'non-been Being'
The word 'being' can mean 'creature' or 'as' (i.e: 'being / as a rich man'). What is the meaning of 'non-been Being' exactly? . Is this ambiguous?
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0answers
184 views
To infinitive VS bare infinitive
He made me laugh(active)
I was made to laugh by him(passive voice)
In the active voice made is followed by personal object and bare infinitive.
But in the passive voice made is followed ...
24
votes
5answers
6k views
Is “Ram married his daughter” ambiguous?
Ram married his daughter is ambiguous because:
Marry means marry somebody to become a spouse.
The second meaning is perform the marriage ritual as a priest.
So, if Ram is a priest he can marry his ...
0
votes
1answer
502 views
The clerk concerned VS the concerned clerk
I want to meet the concerned clerk
I want to meet the clerk concerned
According the grammar book by David Green the first sentence means I want to meet the clerk who is tense or ...
0
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2answers
111 views
He left her a widow
He left her a widow.
I think this sentence is ambiguous.
The possible meanings are:
1. He died and she became a widow.
2. He kept a widow in her care.
Could you please analyze the sentences and ...
1
vote
2answers
129 views
You must have mended your shoes
Your shoes are shining:
You must have mended your shoes.
You must have your shoes mended.
This was the question given in an examination.
Most students and some teachers found the ...
0
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2answers
62 views
Not all language tests are of the same kind
Not all language tests are of the same kind.
All language tests are not of the same kind
I think both the sentences mean the same thing though they are syntactically different.
What is the part ...
2
votes
1answer
811 views
I want to make friendship with you
I know that to make friends with somebody is idiomatic in English.
But in India I hear people saying
I want to make friendship with you
I think native speakers do not accept make friendship with ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Semantics (English linguistics): “words as containers of meaning”
I have a big doubt... I’m taking an english linguistics course and I don’t understand this section of the book :( There would be any person who already finished this subject would explain me.
It is ...
