Pragmatics final revision

2025
 Assignment feedback
Presupposition: write as a sentence, Do not copy the main
sentence as a whole:
1. Why didn’t you come?
2. My book is ….
3. I lost a book.
4. I discovered a cat lying under the desk.
5. I imagined a cat was lying under the desk.
6. If you hadn’t missed the bus, you would have arrived on time.
OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS
Presupposition
Implicature
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 Find a presupposition in A. Specify its type and trigger.
Find an implicature in B. Specify the maxim flouted.
1) A: How is the patient doing after she delivered the baby?
B: I’ve decided never to have children.

Presupposition TriggerType *Implicature Maxim flouted 1. RELATION

2. CLARITY
2) A: What do you think of my new hairstyle?
B: Well, it’s umm … I just don’t …. It’s different.

Presupposition TriggerType *Implicature Maxim flouted

 Find a presupposition in A. Specify its type and trigger.
Find an implicature in B. Specify the maxim flouted.
1) A: It’s frustrating how students can’t concentrate in Ramadan!
B: Well, Ramadan is Ramadan.

Presupposition Trigger Type *Implicature Maxim flouted 1. QUANTITY

2. RELATION
2) A: Have you stopped eating Om Ali and konafa?
B: My doctor gave me a deadline!

Presupposition Trigger Type *Implicature Maxim flouted

 Find a presupposition in A. Specify its type and trigger.
Find an implicature in B. Specify the maxim flouted.
3) A: Are you going to read all these books?
B: No, I’m going to eat them up
Presupposition Trigger Type *Implicature Maxim flouted 1. QUALITY

4) A: Where does Tom get the money to keep two houses? 2. QUALITY

B: He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Presupposition Trigger Type *Implicature Maxim flouted
Find a presupposition in A. Specify its type and trigger.
Find an implicature in B. Specify the maxim flouted.
5) A: Why didn’t you come to the movies with us?

• B: My mother was not free to babysit yesterday.

Presupposition Trigger Type *Implicature Maxim flouted

6) A: I prepared this roast turkey especially for you!
B: I think I’ll have a salad.

Presupposition Trigger Type *Implicature Maxim flouted

OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS
Politeness
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 Name the politeness maxim involved in B.
Provide a more polite alternative than B.
1. A: Your dress is really lovely. 1. Do you like the chaise longue
B: I made it myself. I bought yesterday?
2. A: Did you like the meal I made B: Not really.
you? 2. Can I take a minute of your
B: The chicken was good but I time?
didn’t like the soup. I’ll be free in an hour.
3. Do you like the colour of my new 3. I enjoyed the barbecue at
T-shirt? Laila’s garden.
B: Never seen anything like this B: The weather was too hot
before. and I kept sweating all the
time.
Dr. Ola Hafez 2025 11
 Name the politeness maxim involved in B.
Provide a more polite alternative than B.
1. A: The new tax law will not be 1. I can’t find my mug.
a burden to most people. B: I can lend you mine.
B: Let’s wait and see. 2. I enjoyed the barbecue at
Laila’s garden.
2. A; I’ve run out of staples. B: The weather was too hot
B: Go ahead and use mine and I kept sweating all the
3. A. I’m going to study time.
Chinese. 3. Your book collection is really
B: Why study such a difficult interesting.
language? B: I can lend you some.
Dr. Ola Hafez 2025 12
MCQ QUESTIONS
20
 Ch1 - Semantic / pragmatic
1. In the following, B’s response is an example of a ---------- interpretation of A’s
utterance.
A: I missed the train! B: I’m sorry I drove slowly.
a. pragmatic b. semantic c. syntactic
2. The pragmatic meaning for “I’m on a diet.” is.
a) Diet is an eating program. b) Diets are prescribed by doctors. c) I’m trying to
lose weight. 1. A
3. The semantic meaning for “Your jacket is on the floor.” is 2. C
a) You’re untidy. b) You should pick it up. c) Some of your clothes are on 3. C
the floor. 4. B
4. In the following, B’s response is an example of a ---------- interpretation of A’s
utterance.
A. Didn’t I tell you to knock before you come in? B. Yes you did.
a. pragmatic b. semantic c. syntactic
 Ch1 - Semantic / pragmatic
3. In the following, B’s response is an example of a………….. interpretation of A’s
utterance.
A: My ice cream is gone! B: I didn’t take it.
a. semantic b. pragmatic c. syntactic
4. The pragmatic meaning for “children are children.” is.
a) A kid can do silly things. b) kids are kids. c) a child is a
kid. 1. B
2. In the following, B’s response is an example of a………….. interpretation of A’s 2. A
utterance. 3. A

A. How many times did I tell you to clean the table? B. Four times. 4. B

a. semantic b. pragmatic c. syntactic

1. The semantic meaning for “I am not your daughter.” is
a) I’m not a child. b) You’re not my parent. c) I’m not going to obey
your orders
 Analytic, contradictory, synthetically true/false
1. Which of the following sentences is contradictory?
a) Her husband is childish. b) Her husband is a student. c) Her husband is a snake.

2. Which of the following sentences is synthetically true or false?

a) Dolphin are friendly. b) Dolphins are birds. c) Dolphins are mammals.
1. C
3. “Rainy countries have dry weather.” This sentence is -----------------------------.
a) analytic b) contradictory c) synthetically true or false 2. A
3. B
4. “Mothers-in-law are hateful.” This sentence is -----------------------------.
a) analytic b) contradictory c) synthetically true or false 4. C

5. “A bicycle is a vehicle.” This sentence is -----------------------------. 5. A

a) analytic b) contradictory c) synthetically true or false

6. Which of the following sentences is analytic?

• a) Books are expensive. b) Books have pages. c) Books are full of vitamins.
 Analytic, contradictory, synthetically true/false
. Which of the following sentences is analytic?
a) Babies are young. b) Babies are heavy. c) Babies are not afraid of snakes.
6. Which of the following sentences is contradictory?
a) The snake is a reptile. b) The snake is harmless. c) The snake is a mammal.
7. Which of the following sentences is synthetically true or false? 6. A
a) Airplanes are vehicles. b) Airplanes can fly in storms. c) Airplanes can feel pain. 7. C
8. “The sun is a ball of fire.” This sentence is -----------------------------. 8. B
a) analytic b) contradictory c) synthetically true or false
9. A
9. “Humans can live without oxygen.” This sentence is -----------------------------.
10. B
a) analytic b) contradictory c) synthetically true or false
11. C
10. “Coffee is healthy.” This sentence is -----------------------------.
a) analytic b) contradictory c) synthetically true or false
 Entailment: one-way, two-way
1. Which one of the following sentence pairs expresses a one-way entailment?
a) The killer was caught by the cops. (The police arrested the murderer.)
b) Eating fruits and vegetables is healthy. (Eating plants is good for one’s health.)
c) The mother punished her children. (The kids were penalized by their mom.)
2. Which one of the following sentence pairs expresses a two-way entailment?
1. B
a. My father is a primary school teacher. (My dad teaches at a primary school.)
2. A
b My mother is a surgeon (My mother works in the medical field.)
3. A
c. I’m not upset. (I’m very pleased.)
3. For “Dane helped Sally fix her computer”, which is the best two-way entailment:
a. Dane lent Sally a hand in repairing her computer.
b. Dane helped Sally fix her electronic device.
c. Dane helped Sally carry her computer.
Entailment: one-way, two-way

11. Which one of the following sentence pairs expresses a one-way entailment?
a) My father managed a hospital. (My dad was the hospital manager.)
b) The child’s pain moved me. (I was touched by the kid’s pain.)
1.
c) The math teacher examined the pupils every month. (The pupils were tested monthly.) C
2. A

12. Which one of the following sentence pairs expresses a two-way entailment?
a. Dogs scare cats. (Cats are afraid of dogs.)
b. The movie is not fantastic. (I didn’t like the film.)
c. The couple travelled on their honeymoon. (The newly weds did a lot of travelling.)
Entailment: one-way, two-way
1. For “Bill felt sorry for Ann’s illness”, which is the best one-way
entailment:
a. Ann’s poor health upset Bill.
b. Bill was sad that Ann was not well.
c. Bill wasn’t happy about the new developments in Ann’s
condition.
 Entailment / presupposition / implicature
1. “Sam found out that his uncle died.” (“Sam’s uncle died.”) The inference between
brackets is ----------
a. entailment b. implicature c. presupposition
2. “My dad is a university professor.” (“My father works at university.”) The inference
between brackets is
1. C
a. entailment b. implicature c. presupposition
2. A
2. “Bill stopped eating meat.” (“Bill used to eat meat.”) The inference between brackets is ----------
a. entailment b. implicature c. presupposition
3. “Helen ate all the fruit in the fridge.” (“Helen ate all the watermelon in the fridge.”) The
inference between brackets is ----------
• a. entailment b. implicature c. presupposition
Speech acts
#6.12 Which of the following are illocutionary, and which
ones are perlocutionary?
• scare
• Criticize Perlocutionary
• persuade
• Mock
• confuse effects are not
• offer • entertain
condolences guaranteed and are
• impress
• Praise • Placate (appease) not under the
• Argue • Inspire
speaker’s control.
• Console • Annoy
• Joke • Offend
• Convince

Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 23

 Which of the following utterances is performative?

1. America declared war on Japan

in 1941. 1. I forbid you to spit on the pavement.
2. I wish you a safe journey. 2. Spitting on the pavement is forbidden.
3. It cost much more than I 3. Spitting on the pavement was
expected. forbidden.
4. Do you have any credit in your 4. You are forbidden to spit on the
mobile? pavement.
5. I accept your apology. 5. Spitting on the pavement is
6. I’m sorry I didn’t call back. inconsiderate.
6. You must not spit on the pavement.
7. I order you not to spit on the floor.

Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 24

Which of the following sentences is performative?

a. Go up the hill and watch for cars so you can warn anyone before they
get to the curve.
b. I came to warn you.
c. Please warn us if that happens.
d. I warn you again, step aside.
e. I deny you access to the database.
f. Access is denied to the database.
g. We denied access to the database.
i. The committee thanks you for your services.
j. I thank you for all your good wishes, and wish you likewise.
k. I wished Dan luck and thanked him again for sticking his neck in the
noose on our behalf.
l. You ought to thank Karin for all the help she offered throughout your
project.
Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 25
 Exercises
1. “I don’t want to hear any noise.” The illocutionary force of the utterance is……..
a. request b. apology c. offer
2. “I have a Zoom meeting.” The illocutionary force of the utterance is…………....
a. suggestion b. refusal c. complimenting
3. “I wish I could live in a house on the sea.” The speech act category is…………
a. commissive b. declaration c. expressive
4. “Words can’t express my gratitude.” The illocutionary force is………….....
a. invitation b. thanking c. reprimanding.
5. “Sleeping early and drinking a lot of water is good for one’s health.” The speech act
category is …………..
a. commissive b. declaration c. directive
6. If you miss classes, I’ll be upset.
a) threatening b) requesting c) informing d) promising
7. If you do your homework, I’ll take you to the cinema.
a) threatening b) requesting c) promising d)informing

Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 26

 Exercises
1. A father says to his child, “Why don’t you spend more time studying for the
exams?” The speech act category is …
a. rogative b. directive c. commissive d. representative
2. "If you need a ride, I can drive you to the airport." The speech act category in this
utterance.is…
a. directive b. representative c .expressive d. commissive
3. “The train is leaving”. The illocutionary force of the utterance is a/an….. ..
a. compliment b. invitation c. warning d. promise.
4. Could I ask you please to move to that table over there? The speech act category in
this utterance.is….
a. commissive b. rogative c. directive d. expressive
5. Which one of the following sentences includes a direct speech act?
a. I can’t see well! b. Sit down! c. Why don’t you move?

Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 27

The Symptoms of Covid 19 are fatal and usually appear 2-14
days after exposure to the virus.
The illocutionary force of the utterance is a …………..
a. complaint b. refusal c. warning d. suggestion

A: Many of friends got infected with Covid 19. B: I will take the
vaccine soon.
The speech act category of the underlined utterance is……………
a. expressive b. commisive c. directive d. representative

A father to his child, “why are you still playing on your Xbox”?
The speech act category of the utterance is……………
a. directive b. representative c. commissive. d. declaration
Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 28
Which of the following sentences is performative?
a. Go up the hill and watch for cars so you can warn anyone before they get to
the curve.
b. I came to warn you.
c. Please warn us if that happens.
d. I warn you again, step aside.

A passenger says to his smoking driver: “I can’t breathe”.

The illocutionary force of the utterance is a/an ………
a. request b. promise c. invitation d. enquiry

"If you need a ride, I can drive you to the airport." The speech act category is
….
a. directive b. representative c .expressive d .commissive
Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 29
A father says to his child, “Why don’t you spend more time studying
for the exams?” The speech act category of this utterance is ………...
a. rogative b. directive c. commissive d. representative

“The train is leaving”. The illocutionary force of the utterance is

a/an….
a. compliment b. invitation c. warning d. promise.

Which one of the following sentences includes a direct speech

act?
a. Sit down! b. I can’t see well! c. Why don’t you
move?

Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 30

Could I ask you please to move to that table over there? The
speech act category in this utterance is….
a. commissive b. rogative c. directive d. expressive

I don’t want to hear any noise.” The illocutionary force of the

utterance is…………....
a. request b. apology c. offer

“I have a Zoom meeting.” The illocutionary force of the

utterance is…………....
a. suggestion b. refusal c. complimenting

Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 31

“I wish I could live in a house on the sea.” The speech act
category in the previous utterance is…………
a. commissive b. declarative c. expressive

“Words can’t express my gratitude.” The illocutionary force of

the utterance is………….....
a. invitation b. thanking c. reprimanding

“Sleeping early and drinking a lot of water is good for one’s

health.” The speech act category in the previous utterance
is…………..
a. commissive b. declarative c. directive

Dr Ola Hafez Pragmatics 2025 32

Best wishes to all