A dog followed the man into the store
A dog followed the man into the store.
Is it only me who thinks the sentence above means both?
- A dog was walking behind the man into the store.
- The man got into the store by the following of a dog.
I think it's possible the sentence means both, although the second version sounds very weird, but anyways, it can be interpreted the 2nd way.
sentence-meaning
add a comment |
A dog followed the man into the store.
Is it only me who thinks the sentence above means both?
- A dog was walking behind the man into the store.
- The man got into the store by the following of a dog.
I think it's possible the sentence means both, although the second version sounds very weird, but anyways, it can be interpreted the 2nd way.
sentence-meaning
1
We use the verb lead (past tense led) to express your second meaning, where the dog is guiding the man. The dog led the man into the store. As StoneyB says in his answer, follow someone never means "cause someone to be led".
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
3 hours ago
No, it can't be interpreted the second way . . .
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
add a comment |
A dog followed the man into the store.
Is it only me who thinks the sentence above means both?
- A dog was walking behind the man into the store.
- The man got into the store by the following of a dog.
I think it's possible the sentence means both, although the second version sounds very weird, but anyways, it can be interpreted the 2nd way.
sentence-meaning
A dog followed the man into the store.
Is it only me who thinks the sentence above means both?
- A dog was walking behind the man into the store.
- The man got into the store by the following of a dog.
I think it's possible the sentence means both, although the second version sounds very weird, but anyways, it can be interpreted the 2nd way.
sentence-meaning
sentence-meaning
edited 3 hours ago
RubioRic
4,2181933
4,2181933
asked 5 hours ago
SISSIS
6121720
6121720
1
We use the verb lead (past tense led) to express your second meaning, where the dog is guiding the man. The dog led the man into the store. As StoneyB says in his answer, follow someone never means "cause someone to be led".
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
3 hours ago
No, it can't be interpreted the second way . . .
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
We use the verb lead (past tense led) to express your second meaning, where the dog is guiding the man. The dog led the man into the store. As StoneyB says in his answer, follow someone never means "cause someone to be led".
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
3 hours ago
No, it can't be interpreted the second way . . .
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
1
1
We use the verb lead (past tense led) to express your second meaning, where the dog is guiding the man. The dog led the man into the store. As StoneyB says in his answer, follow someone never means "cause someone to be led".
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
3 hours ago
We use the verb lead (past tense led) to express your second meaning, where the dog is guiding the man. The dog led the man into the store. As StoneyB says in his answer, follow someone never means "cause someone to be led".
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
3 hours ago
No, it can't be interpreted the second way . . .
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
No, it can't be interpreted the second way . . .
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
Your conjecture is invalid.
Follow takes an object and an optional locative complement designating the destination or path of movement. But it never has a causative sense: the subject does not cause the object to move.
Is the reason my conjecture is invalid just that the 2nd doesn't make sense?
– SIS
2 hours ago
@SIS It is invalid and the second "doesn't make sense" because follow never has the causative meaning which you attribute to it.
– StoneyB
1 hour ago
Maybe the dog chased the man into the store?
– Michael Harvey
19 mins ago
add a comment |
I don't know what you mean by the second sentence, it makes no sense to me. The sentence you are asking about means: a man walks into the store and is followed by a dog. The dog is walking behind the man.
I think the 2nd interpretation can be possible if we think "to be" is implied as in "A dog followed the man (to be) into the store".
– SIS
4 hours ago
The " to be " makes no sense, just say: the dog followed the man into the store.
– anouk
4 hours ago
Yes, I know it doesn't make sense at all, but I just suggest another possible interpretation with the perspective.
– SIS
4 hours ago
add a comment |
You are correct that your second sentence "sounds very weird". That is because it makes no sense. It seems to suggest that the man somehow got into the store (was allowed to enter) because he followed the dog, which is just plain crazy, unless the shop only allows humans to enter if a dog goes in first. Maybe you mean "the man went into the store, followed by the dog". We can use "follow" two ways: to literally move along behind someone or something, whether deliberately or not, e.g. the car followed a truck, I followed my sister into the kitchen, or it can mean to happen after something else, e.g. New Year follows Christmas, the fight was followed by the arrival of the police.
Follow
Follow also means keep track of. As in I'm following that news story. (Although that meaning has nothing to do with physical location.)
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "481"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
var $window = $(window),
onScroll = function(e) {
var $elem = $('.new-login-left'),
docViewTop = $window.scrollTop(),
docViewBottom = docViewTop + $window.height(),
elemTop = $elem.offset().top,
elemBottom = elemTop + $elem.height();
if ((docViewTop elemBottom)) {
StackExchange.using('gps', function() { StackExchange.gps.track('embedded_signup_form.view', { location: 'question_page' }); });
$window.unbind('scroll', onScroll);
}
};
$window.on('scroll', onScroll);
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f193363%2fa-dog-followed-the-man-into-the-store%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Your conjecture is invalid.
Follow takes an object and an optional locative complement designating the destination or path of movement. But it never has a causative sense: the subject does not cause the object to move.
Is the reason my conjecture is invalid just that the 2nd doesn't make sense?
– SIS
2 hours ago
@SIS It is invalid and the second "doesn't make sense" because follow never has the causative meaning which you attribute to it.
– StoneyB
1 hour ago
Maybe the dog chased the man into the store?
– Michael Harvey
19 mins ago
add a comment |
Your conjecture is invalid.
Follow takes an object and an optional locative complement designating the destination or path of movement. But it never has a causative sense: the subject does not cause the object to move.
Is the reason my conjecture is invalid just that the 2nd doesn't make sense?
– SIS
2 hours ago
@SIS It is invalid and the second "doesn't make sense" because follow never has the causative meaning which you attribute to it.
– StoneyB
1 hour ago
Maybe the dog chased the man into the store?
– Michael Harvey
19 mins ago
add a comment |
Your conjecture is invalid.
Follow takes an object and an optional locative complement designating the destination or path of movement. But it never has a causative sense: the subject does not cause the object to move.
Your conjecture is invalid.
Follow takes an object and an optional locative complement designating the destination or path of movement. But it never has a causative sense: the subject does not cause the object to move.
answered 4 hours ago
StoneyBStoneyB
169k10231412
169k10231412
Is the reason my conjecture is invalid just that the 2nd doesn't make sense?
– SIS
2 hours ago
@SIS It is invalid and the second "doesn't make sense" because follow never has the causative meaning which you attribute to it.
– StoneyB
1 hour ago
Maybe the dog chased the man into the store?
– Michael Harvey
19 mins ago
add a comment |
Is the reason my conjecture is invalid just that the 2nd doesn't make sense?
– SIS
2 hours ago
@SIS It is invalid and the second "doesn't make sense" because follow never has the causative meaning which you attribute to it.
– StoneyB
1 hour ago
Maybe the dog chased the man into the store?
– Michael Harvey
19 mins ago
Is the reason my conjecture is invalid just that the 2nd doesn't make sense?
– SIS
2 hours ago
Is the reason my conjecture is invalid just that the 2nd doesn't make sense?
– SIS
2 hours ago
@SIS It is invalid and the second "doesn't make sense" because follow never has the causative meaning which you attribute to it.
– StoneyB
1 hour ago
@SIS It is invalid and the second "doesn't make sense" because follow never has the causative meaning which you attribute to it.
– StoneyB
1 hour ago
Maybe the dog chased the man into the store?
– Michael Harvey
19 mins ago
Maybe the dog chased the man into the store?
– Michael Harvey
19 mins ago
add a comment |
I don't know what you mean by the second sentence, it makes no sense to me. The sentence you are asking about means: a man walks into the store and is followed by a dog. The dog is walking behind the man.
I think the 2nd interpretation can be possible if we think "to be" is implied as in "A dog followed the man (to be) into the store".
– SIS
4 hours ago
The " to be " makes no sense, just say: the dog followed the man into the store.
– anouk
4 hours ago
Yes, I know it doesn't make sense at all, but I just suggest another possible interpretation with the perspective.
– SIS
4 hours ago
add a comment |
I don't know what you mean by the second sentence, it makes no sense to me. The sentence you are asking about means: a man walks into the store and is followed by a dog. The dog is walking behind the man.
I think the 2nd interpretation can be possible if we think "to be" is implied as in "A dog followed the man (to be) into the store".
– SIS
4 hours ago
The " to be " makes no sense, just say: the dog followed the man into the store.
– anouk
4 hours ago
Yes, I know it doesn't make sense at all, but I just suggest another possible interpretation with the perspective.
– SIS
4 hours ago
add a comment |
I don't know what you mean by the second sentence, it makes no sense to me. The sentence you are asking about means: a man walks into the store and is followed by a dog. The dog is walking behind the man.
I don't know what you mean by the second sentence, it makes no sense to me. The sentence you are asking about means: a man walks into the store and is followed by a dog. The dog is walking behind the man.
answered 4 hours ago
anoukanouk
1,189312
1,189312
I think the 2nd interpretation can be possible if we think "to be" is implied as in "A dog followed the man (to be) into the store".
– SIS
4 hours ago
The " to be " makes no sense, just say: the dog followed the man into the store.
– anouk
4 hours ago
Yes, I know it doesn't make sense at all, but I just suggest another possible interpretation with the perspective.
– SIS
4 hours ago
add a comment |
I think the 2nd interpretation can be possible if we think "to be" is implied as in "A dog followed the man (to be) into the store".
– SIS
4 hours ago
The " to be " makes no sense, just say: the dog followed the man into the store.
– anouk
4 hours ago
Yes, I know it doesn't make sense at all, but I just suggest another possible interpretation with the perspective.
– SIS
4 hours ago
I think the 2nd interpretation can be possible if we think "to be" is implied as in "A dog followed the man (to be) into the store".
– SIS
4 hours ago
I think the 2nd interpretation can be possible if we think "to be" is implied as in "A dog followed the man (to be) into the store".
– SIS
4 hours ago
The " to be " makes no sense, just say: the dog followed the man into the store.
– anouk
4 hours ago
The " to be " makes no sense, just say: the dog followed the man into the store.
– anouk
4 hours ago
Yes, I know it doesn't make sense at all, but I just suggest another possible interpretation with the perspective.
– SIS
4 hours ago
Yes, I know it doesn't make sense at all, but I just suggest another possible interpretation with the perspective.
– SIS
4 hours ago
add a comment |
You are correct that your second sentence "sounds very weird". That is because it makes no sense. It seems to suggest that the man somehow got into the store (was allowed to enter) because he followed the dog, which is just plain crazy, unless the shop only allows humans to enter if a dog goes in first. Maybe you mean "the man went into the store, followed by the dog". We can use "follow" two ways: to literally move along behind someone or something, whether deliberately or not, e.g. the car followed a truck, I followed my sister into the kitchen, or it can mean to happen after something else, e.g. New Year follows Christmas, the fight was followed by the arrival of the police.
Follow
Follow also means keep track of. As in I'm following that news story. (Although that meaning has nothing to do with physical location.)
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
add a comment |
You are correct that your second sentence "sounds very weird". That is because it makes no sense. It seems to suggest that the man somehow got into the store (was allowed to enter) because he followed the dog, which is just plain crazy, unless the shop only allows humans to enter if a dog goes in first. Maybe you mean "the man went into the store, followed by the dog". We can use "follow" two ways: to literally move along behind someone or something, whether deliberately or not, e.g. the car followed a truck, I followed my sister into the kitchen, or it can mean to happen after something else, e.g. New Year follows Christmas, the fight was followed by the arrival of the police.
Follow
Follow also means keep track of. As in I'm following that news story. (Although that meaning has nothing to do with physical location.)
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
add a comment |
You are correct that your second sentence "sounds very weird". That is because it makes no sense. It seems to suggest that the man somehow got into the store (was allowed to enter) because he followed the dog, which is just plain crazy, unless the shop only allows humans to enter if a dog goes in first. Maybe you mean "the man went into the store, followed by the dog". We can use "follow" two ways: to literally move along behind someone or something, whether deliberately or not, e.g. the car followed a truck, I followed my sister into the kitchen, or it can mean to happen after something else, e.g. New Year follows Christmas, the fight was followed by the arrival of the police.
Follow
You are correct that your second sentence "sounds very weird". That is because it makes no sense. It seems to suggest that the man somehow got into the store (was allowed to enter) because he followed the dog, which is just plain crazy, unless the shop only allows humans to enter if a dog goes in first. Maybe you mean "the man went into the store, followed by the dog". We can use "follow" two ways: to literally move along behind someone or something, whether deliberately or not, e.g. the car followed a truck, I followed my sister into the kitchen, or it can mean to happen after something else, e.g. New Year follows Christmas, the fight was followed by the arrival of the police.
Follow
answered 4 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
13.2k11330
13.2k11330
Follow also means keep track of. As in I'm following that news story. (Although that meaning has nothing to do with physical location.)
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Follow also means keep track of. As in I'm following that news story. (Although that meaning has nothing to do with physical location.)
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
Follow also means keep track of. As in I'm following that news story. (Although that meaning has nothing to do with physical location.)
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
Follow also means keep track of. As in I'm following that news story. (Although that meaning has nothing to do with physical location.)
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
var $window = $(window),
onScroll = function(e) {
var $elem = $('.new-login-left'),
docViewTop = $window.scrollTop(),
docViewBottom = docViewTop + $window.height(),
elemTop = $elem.offset().top,
elemBottom = elemTop + $elem.height();
if ((docViewTop elemBottom)) {
StackExchange.using('gps', function() { StackExchange.gps.track('embedded_signup_form.view', { location: 'question_page' }); });
$window.unbind('scroll', onScroll);
}
};
$window.on('scroll', onScroll);
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f193363%2fa-dog-followed-the-man-into-the-store%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
var $window = $(window),
onScroll = function(e) {
var $elem = $('.new-login-left'),
docViewTop = $window.scrollTop(),
docViewBottom = docViewTop + $window.height(),
elemTop = $elem.offset().top,
elemBottom = elemTop + $elem.height();
if ((docViewTop elemBottom)) {
StackExchange.using('gps', function() { StackExchange.gps.track('embedded_signup_form.view', { location: 'question_page' }); });
$window.unbind('scroll', onScroll);
}
};
$window.on('scroll', onScroll);
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
var $window = $(window),
onScroll = function(e) {
var $elem = $('.new-login-left'),
docViewTop = $window.scrollTop(),
docViewBottom = docViewTop + $window.height(),
elemTop = $elem.offset().top,
elemBottom = elemTop + $elem.height();
if ((docViewTop elemBottom)) {
StackExchange.using('gps', function() { StackExchange.gps.track('embedded_signup_form.view', { location: 'question_page' }); });
$window.unbind('scroll', onScroll);
}
};
$window.on('scroll', onScroll);
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
var $window = $(window),
onScroll = function(e) {
var $elem = $('.new-login-left'),
docViewTop = $window.scrollTop(),
docViewBottom = docViewTop + $window.height(),
elemTop = $elem.offset().top,
elemBottom = elemTop + $elem.height();
if ((docViewTop elemBottom)) {
StackExchange.using('gps', function() { StackExchange.gps.track('embedded_signup_form.view', { location: 'question_page' }); });
$window.unbind('scroll', onScroll);
}
};
$window.on('scroll', onScroll);
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
1
We use the verb lead (past tense led) to express your second meaning, where the dog is guiding the man. The dog led the man into the store. As StoneyB says in his answer, follow someone never means "cause someone to be led".
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
3 hours ago
No, it can't be interpreted the second way . . .
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago