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 de maio de 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 de maio de 2020
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Yes, that is correct
30 de maio de 2020
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