identify whether (a) entails (b), (a) presupposes (b), (a) implicates (b), or
none or more than one of the above. Then, identify whether (b) entails (a), (b) presupposes (a), (b) implicates
(a), or none or more than one of the above. Finally, indicate whether (a) and (b) are contradictory, contrary,
paraphrases, or independent. Briefly explain your answers (about 3 sentences). For each pair of sentences,
assume that the context (time of the utterance, individuals referred to by proper names, etc.) are the same
for both sentences. Additionally, note that some of the sentences may be ambiguous in ways that affect your
answers.
(1) a. Joan loves all dogs.
b. Joan hates the neighbor’s chihuahua.
(2) a. Dwayne regrets staying out past midnight.
b. Dwayne stayed out past midnight.
(3) a. It is Angela who feeds the chickens.
b. Angela feeds the chickens.
(4) a. It is Angela who feeds the chickens.
b. Someone feeds the chickens.
(5) a. Marcio is scared of the wasp.
b. The wasp scared Marcio.
2 Ambiguity
For each sentence below, identify the types of ambiguity it demonstrates (lexical, structural, referential,
and/or other) and paraphrase the different readings of the sentence. A sentence may demonstrate more than
one type of ambiguity.
(6) Cecilia met her girlfriend when she was in college.
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(7) Matilda found the robot with her metal detector.
(8) Time flies like an arrow, while fruit flies like a banana.
(9) Every book is in a library somewhere.
3 Sense and denotation
Do (10a) and (10b) together entail (10c)? That is, if (10a) and (10b) are both true, does it follow that
(10c) is true? Explain why or why not, couching your discussion in terms of the sense and denotation of
the expressions involved, and keeping in mind that (10c) is ambiguous in a way that will affect your answer.
(1–2 paragraphs.)
(10) a. Johnny wants to meet Merle.
b. Merle is a singer from Bakersfield.
c. Johnny wants to meet a singer from Bakersfield.
Sample Solution