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?
2020年5月30日 20:48
回答 · 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
2020年5月30日
"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.)
2020年5月30日
Yes, that is correct
2020年5月30日
还未找到你的答案吗？
把你的问题写下来，让母语人士来帮助你！
