Thread: the sent.

the sentence:
The men are all spaced-out
I was told that sentence is ambiguous.
whether it means that
1.every men are spaced-out
or that
2. the men are completely spaced out.

IMHO, the sentence at the top must be interpreted only as "the men are completely spaced out", i.e.:
a. The men are all spaced-out = the men are completely spaced out
(b. Men are all spaced-out = every men are spaced-out)

could you judge, please

Originally Posted by Chuvak

the sentence:
The men are all spaced-out
I was told that this sentence is ambiguous.
whether it means that
1.every man/all the men is/are spaced-out
or that
2. the men are completely spaced out.

IMHO, the sentence at the top must be interpreted only as "the men are completely spaced out", i.e.:
a. The men are all spaced-out = the men are completely spaced out
(b. Men are all spaced-out = every man is spaced-out)

could you judge, please

Huh? I don't understand what you're asking....

BTW, yes the sentence is ambiguous. It could mean either that all of them are spaced out or that they are completely spaced out, as you were talking about.

Actually, I think that if you wanted to say "all the men are spaced out" then you would put the stress on "all".

The men are all spaced out.

If you wanted to say they are "completely spaced out" you would stress "spaced out".

The men are all spaced out.

So, these 2 sent. are equal: The men are all spaced-out = Men are all spaced-out ??? (i.e. I can leave out the article???)

If you leave out the article it changes the meaning of the sentence.

The men are all spaced out - THE men, those blokes standing over there/the men in my rugby team/the men who attacked her.....

Men are all spaced out - Men in general, all men. Mankind.


Hey, did you just decide to abbreviate sentence to sent. or did you see that somewhere? In any case, it's not the best idea...

Thank you, now I got it!!!

Originally Posted by basurero

Hey, did you just decide to abbreviate sentence to sent. or did you see that somewhere? In any case, it's not the best idea...

Yep, I myself decided it. Why is it a bad idea? (maybe because it looks like the word "sent"??) (Anyway, I will never abbreviate sentence to sent!!!)

Yeh, and it sounds like cents. There is no point in abbreviating such a short word. In that case, you may as well abb. ev. wor. reg. of its len. d. y. t.

Originally Posted by Chuvak

the sentence:
The men are all spaced-out
I was told that sentence is ambiguous.
whether it means that
1.every men are spaced-out
or that
2. the men are completely spaced out.

IMHO, the sentence at the top must be interpreted only as "the men are completely spaced out", i.e.:
a. The men are all spaced-out = the men are completely spaced out
(b. Men are all spaced-out = every men are spaced-out)

could you judge, please

I think you were spaced-out when you posted this. I haven't a frikkin' clue what you are asking, never mind what the answer might be.

Thanks!!!
I have another "big" question:
which example is correct:
1. I was late for work
2. I was late to work
????

Originally Posted by Chuvak

Thanks!!!
I have another "big" question:
which example is correct:
1. I was late for work
2. I was late to work
????

1. Is correct for the meaning your thinking of Chuvak. 2. can be used in a slightly different context and with a different meaning.

1. I was late for work tonight.
2. I have come to work late tonight.

I have another "big" question:
which example is correct:
1. I was late for work
2. I was late to work
??

Either / Or

"Traffic was a nightmare, (A / B)"
Both worked fine for me all weekend and yesterday.

Originally Posted by Chuvak

Thanks!!!
I have another "big" question:
which example is correct:
1. I was late for work
2. I was late to work
????

I think you could get by using either, but you probably would use 2 when referring to your workplace (ie a location) whereas 1 just means late for your job (location doesn't matter).

Also 2 could mean "I was late to (start) work(ing)"

But in any case there isn't a great fifference and no one is going to notice or question which one you use.