Questions relating to semantics, the study of meaning.
Semantics studies the ways how different meanings evolve from one word and tries to find general lines of semantic change. Semantics is quite different from etymology.
Questions tagged [semantics]
611 questions
45
votes
7 answers
Is the phrase "it's just a matter of semantics" meaningless?
I hear this phrase from time to time, and I really don't know what it means. Two people are debating, and one says "the difference between your position and mine is just a matter of semantics." This would seem to me to be quite an important…
KSwenson
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12
votes
4 answers
Can a piano be referred to as furniture?
In the sentence:
The main space contained several pieces of furniture, such as some tables, several cabinets, and a grand piano.
is it ok to refer to include a grand piano in the enumeration of furniture? I am not sure what the boundaries of…
Yellow
- 344
8
votes
5 answers
Is "including but not limited to" a redundant phrase?
Doesn't "including" imply the "not limited to"?
Dennis Williamson
- 3,221
8
votes
2 answers
Semantic constraints on "have a problem V-ing"
I'm looking for possible semantic constraints on the sequence have a problem V-ing.
Can you say, for example, he has a problem speaking English?
What about he has a problem playing the piano?
Someone told me he has a problem speaking English is…
Apollyon
- 1,879
6
votes
4 answers
Does "If X discovers that Y is Z" imply that Y is Z?
Related Question: Entailment/Presupposition in if-clause.
Consider the sentence "If John discovers that Mary is in New York, he will get angry." Does this imply that Mary is in New York now? Is "discovers" a counterfactual in present tense, only…
David Schwartz
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6
votes
1 answer
Meaning of word "pillory"
Greatly complicating matters is a subplot about the firefighter’s soldier brother, whose death at the hands of another trooper is covered up, turning the brother into a malevolent spirit. But all is forgiven in a riot of tearful Hallmark…
MAT
- 269
5
votes
3 answers
Indicator vs. Indication
The Merriam Webster Dictionary gives the following definitions.
Indicator - "one that indicates"
Indication - "something that serves to indicate"
How are they different? Is saying that an "indicator gives an indication" correct?
Dave
- 205
5
votes
7 answers
Difference between "fluency" and "fluidity"
Fluent seems to most commonly refer to language mastery, but in that context isn't it just saying that its delivery is fluid?
If so, am I communicating something different when using one over another or are they essentially interchangeable?
Samuel Hulick
- 386
5
votes
1 answer
Definition of racism inconsistency?
For some dictionaries, such as the Oxford one, racism requires that prejudice/discrimination based on the belief that a race is superior/inferior.
But I can't find this requirement anywhere for any definitions of similar words in any dictionary. …
pamon
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4
votes
1 answer
What does this mean: "Credit card balance within $2000 of card limit"?
I'm trying to create an alert on my credit card so that I get a text message when the total charges on my credit card go over $1000.
Let's say my credit card limit is $3000. If I set the alert to send me a text message when my credit card balance…
boo-urns
- 855
4
votes
3 answers
Semantic role of "the coat" in "the coat lay on the bed"?
What is a semantic role of "the coat" in the sentence "the coat lay on the bed"?
mary
- 129
4
votes
2 answers
What is the name for a question which is answered implicitly by any given response?
e.g. Are you awake? (to somebody who appears to be asleep, but for which any given reply will confirm wakefulness)
hkscy
- 43
4
votes
3 answers
Does a nominative sentence suggest that a characteristic is more of a permanent feature?
Scenario:
Someone steals a pen and is asked: 'Did you steal the pen?'
They reply: 'No'
It is said to them: 'You are a liar.' Does this nominative sentence not suggest that they are a liar as a habit or that lying is more of a permanent…
nicholas ainsworth
- 8,708
3
votes
0 answers
Question on the semantic role of objects licensed by verbs indicating prevention
It goes without saying that the title of this question is perhaps rather prolix, so allow me to illustrate what I mean.
Consider the below sentence.
The man's heroic actions prevented the innocent woman's death.
The focus of this question extends…
Eric
- 706
3
votes
4 answers
Most states have two large universities: "Whatever State" and "The University of Whatever." Is there a semantic reason for this?
I live in South Dakota. We have both The University of South Dakota, and South Dakota State University. They are both large public institutions. Each is known for a specialty (USD is business, law, and medicine; SDSU is agriculture, science, and…
Deane
- 799