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From: kjfair@midway.uchicago.edu.REMOVETHIS (Kenneth Fair)
Subject: Re: Context-sensitive pronouns (was annoying pronouns)
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>Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com> wrote:
>
>>In plain English, the pronoun _it_ means "the last thing I referred to
>>directly."  

>>If you say, in English, "The desk contained a widget, but it wasn't made 
>>of wood," do I mean the desk was red or the widget?  I mean the desk, 
>>obviously.

What if you say, "The desk contains a pencil.  It is made of wood."
Are you talking about the desk, or the pencil?  That would depend on
the context and inflection of the sentence, wouldn't it?

-- 
KEN FAIR - U. Chicago Law  | <http://student-www.uchicago.edu/users/kjfair>
Of Counsel, U. of Ediacara | Power Mac! | CABAL(tm) | I'm w/in McQ - R U?
   When you go for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if
   they ever press charges.
