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How to understand "a family with three brothers"?
Born into a family with three brothers, David was brought up to value the sense of sharing.
Does "a family with three brothers" imply that the family has four boys or three boys?
Nov 28, 2013 3:22 AM
Answers · 6
1
It means he has three brothers and is the fourth.
November 28, 2013
That's actually a very good question! I've never thought about it before, but there could be some ambiguity there, couldn't there? Often it is worded thus - born into a family OF three brothers - which means three in total. I feel the author, by using WITH, has introduced a lack of clarity. But I still assume the author means a total of three brothers. It's the 'family' with three brothers, not the man David with three brothers. I think! What do other people think? I'd like to know.
November 28, 2013
Yep, changed my mind... think it means 4 brothers!
November 28, 2013
Since it says "born into" I think it means he has three older brothers and he is the youngest boy. So there are four boys including David.
November 28, 2013
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icespirit
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
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