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?
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
30 maggio 2020
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"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.)
30 maggio 2020
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Yes, that is correct
30 maggio 2020
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