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Differences in Grammar or Sentence Structure Do Not Always Create Important Differences in Meaning

The document discusses differences in meaning and implications that can arise from small grammatical variations in questions. Specifically, it analyzes the differences between "are you tired?" and "you tired?". While the questions seem similar, the contraction of "not" in the second version makes it more informal and suggests the questioner finds the listener's claimed or apparent tiredness surprising. Overall, the document cautions against analyzing language based on single sentences, noting that meaning depends on broader context including tone, body language, and world knowledge.

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Ervin Gonzales
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23 views

Differences in Grammar or Sentence Structure Do Not Always Create Important Differences in Meaning

The document discusses differences in meaning and implications that can arise from small grammatical variations in questions. Specifically, it analyzes the differences between "are you tired?" and "you tired?". While the questions seem similar, the contraction of "not" in the second version makes it more informal and suggests the questioner finds the listener's claimed or apparent tiredness surprising. Overall, the document cautions against analyzing language based on single sentences, noting that meaning depends on broader context including tone, body language, and world knowledge.

Uploaded by

Ervin Gonzales
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Differences in grammar or sentence structure do not always create important differences in

meaning. These two questions are similar. The listener might say the same answer for both
questions.

The difference(s) between these questions are emphasis, attitude, and formality. Without
hearing or reading more of the conversation, we don’t know for certain which difference(s)
would exist if we used the first version of the question or the second version. Differences
like these are usually communicated by more than one sentence and also by tone of voice,
body language, and other means.

People don’t communicate in single sentences. They use many sentences and there are
other sources of information, like gestures and knowledge about the world.

Contracting  not makes the the not less important in the question. It also makes the question
informal. Few speakers of US English would use the first version of this question. The second
version of the question could suggest the questioner believes the listener is tired and/or is
surprised that the listener claims or seems to not feel tired.
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