Tadora
Two meanings of anything. 1. He can't do anything.(=He can do nothing.) 2. Dom: He can do anything. Tom: No, he can't do anything, but there are so many thing that he can do. (Here, he can't do anything≠He can do nothing) Am I right?
May 30, 2020 8:48 PM
Answers · 3
Sure. Seems that way. Obviously related, but yes, very much at opposite ends of the spectrum. positive: anything meaning any one choice of many, many, things - versus- negative: not any one thing at all
May 30, 2020
"Anything" in all the sentences has just the one meaning. It is the -emphasis- added that gives it the different flavor in #2: "No, he can't do ANYTHING, but there are so many thing that he CAN do." (In talking one would say the capitalized words with emphasis. In writing they would properly be italicized.)
May 30, 2020
Yes, that is correct
May 30, 2020
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