1. An apple floats on water.
2. A coin sinks in water.
3. Banana peels are yellow.
4. The cell phone vibrates.
5, One apple floats on water.
6. One coin sinks in water.
7. Any apple floats on water.
8. Any coin sinks in water.
9. The banana peel is yellow.
10. Cell phones vibrate.
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Look at the subject in each sentence, please.
Are the subjects all in generic use from #1 to #4?
Does #1 mean #5 or #7?
Does #2 mean #6 or #8?
Does #3 mean #9?
Does #4 mean #10?
1 and 7 are close in meaning. 5 seems to mean that one will float, but two or more won't. It's unclear though.
2 and 8 are close. 6 seems to mean that one will float, but more than one won't.
3 and 9 are close although 3 refers to banana peels in general, and 9 seems to be referring to one in particular. **
** This relationship applies to 4 and 10, too.
Upon examining the given statements, we can deduce the following:
1. An apple floats on water.
2. A coin sinks in water.
3. Banana peels are yellow.
4. The cell phone vibrates.
Now, let's address your questions one by one:
1. Are the subjects all in generic use from #1 to #4?
No, the subjects in statements #1 to #4 are not all in generic use. Statement #3 uses a plural noun "banana peels" instead of the generic singular form "a banana peel."
2. Does #1 mean #5 or #7?
Statement #1 is a general statement about apples and water. It does not specifically refer to a single apple or any specific apples. Both #5 ("One apple floats on water") and #7 ("Any apple floats on water") could be understood as specific or general examples that illustrate the general concept mentioned in statement #1.
3. Does #2 mean #6 or #8?
Similar to statement #1, statement #2 is a general statement about coins and water. It does not specifically refer to a single coin or any specific coins. Both #6 ("One coin sinks in water") and #8 ("Any coin sinks in water") can be interpreted as specific or general examples that illustrate the general concept mentioned in statement #2.
4. Does #3 mean #9?
Yes, statement #3 ("Banana peels are yellow") and #9 ("The banana peel is yellow") convey the same information. The first statement uses the plural form, while the second statement uses the singular form.
5. Does #4 mean #10?
Yes, statement #4 ("The cell phone vibrates") and #10 ("Cell phones vibrate") convey the same message. The first statement refers to a specific cell phone, while the second statement expresses a general characteristic of cell phones.