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He is the first man to arrive here
What is the meaning of a drag on profit ?'Fall is here' and '<he> has gone full pumpkin'“Until now” ambiguity“Deviate” MeaningsMeaning of “Pushing a lower discount worked”?Meaning of commit and intense hereActual meaning of 'After all'what's the meaning of “the first century” and “or so”?talked to the man dancingTime Expressions with “in”
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
He is the first man to arrive here.
I'm confused what this sentence means.
I think it could mean either of the options below according to context, like
- He is the first man who is going to arrive here.
- He is the first man who has just arrived here.
meaning ambiguity
edited May 16 at 13:34
ColleenV♦
10.5k53262
asked May 15 at 22:43
FloretFloret
7391823
add a comment |
He is the first man to arrive here.
I'm confused what this sentence means.
I think it could mean either of the options below according to context, like
- He is the first man who is going to arrive here.
- He is the first man who has just arrived here.
meaning ambiguity
edited May 16 at 13:34
ColleenV♦
10.5k53262
asked May 15 at 22:43
FloretFloret
7391823
add a comment |
He is the first man to arrive here.
I'm confused what this sentence means.
I think it could mean either of the options below according to context, like
- He is the first man who is going to arrive here.
- He is the first man who has just arrived here.
meaning ambiguity
edited May 16 at 13:34
ColleenV♦
10.5k53262
asked May 15 at 22:43
FloretFloret
7391823
He is the first man to arrive here.
I'm confused what this sentence means.
I think it could mean either of the options below according to context, like
- He is the first man who is going to arrive here.
- He is the first man who has just arrived here.
meaning ambiguity
meaning ambiguity
edited May 16 at 13:34
ColleenV♦
10.5k53262
asked May 15 at 22:43
FloretFloret
7391823
edited May 16 at 13:34
ColleenV♦
10.5k53262
asked May 15 at 22:43
FloretFloret
7391823
edited May 16 at 13:34
ColleenV♦
10.5k53262
edited May 16 at 13:34
ColleenV♦
10.5k53262
edited May 16 at 13:34
ColleenV♦
10.5k53262
10.5k53262
asked May 15 at 22:43
FloretFloret
7391823
asked May 15 at 22:43
FloretFloret
7391823
asked May 15 at 22:43
FloretFloret
7391823
7391823
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
It means exactly what it says. If there are one or more people who have come from somewhere else, then it describes the first man to have arrived.
It doesn't necessarily mean that he has just arrived.
If the event were being commentated on, the sentence could be spoken when the man appears. Many hours later, especially if no other man has arrived, the sentence could be spoken again—although, in that case, it would probably be more common (although not essential) to say he is still the first man to arrive here.
In another scenario, consider a fantasy story involving a quest that has always been completed by women:
Although many women have done so, he is the first man to complete the quest.
He could have completed the quest many years ago, but you could still use the present tense while he is alive. (If he were to die, then the past tense would need to be used.)
Just because it happened at some point in the past doesn't mean that you have to use the past tense when you are talking about a still-existing quality of a person. If something is still true, or if it's a general truth, the present tense can be used in addition to the past tense.
answered May 15 at 22:58
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
20.1k22543
Will not it mean option 1 in any situations?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India The only possible scenario where I can see that would be something like a group of people going over a plan (such as in a strategy session for a robbery). They point at a map and one of them says, "Nancy cuts the power here. Then Rick is the first [man] to arrive here." In that very specific circumstance, the present tense and future tense could be mixed. But, normally, it would be considered a mistake. Instead, it would be he will be the first man to arrive here.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
what about this sentence? "He is the last man to arrive". Consider a situation where all the guests have arrived, only one person is yet to come. In that situation, won't that sentence mean that he is yet to arrive?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India No, that's fine. It's the same construction as he is the first man to complete the quest. It means that he not only was the last man to arrive—but, being alive, can claim that description about himself, since it is still a true statement.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
I am sorry friend, I didn't understand you clearly. Can you please say in in other way?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
You are correct. It can mean both things depending on the context. The context will tell you if it is describing something that is scheduled for the future, or something that has happened in the past.
answered May 15 at 23:12
ValkorValkor
2643
New contributor
Valkor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
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2 Answers
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It means exactly what it says. If there are one or more people who have come from somewhere else, then it describes the first man to have arrived.
It doesn't necessarily mean that he has just arrived.
If the event were being commentated on, the sentence could be spoken when the man appears. Many hours later, especially if no other man has arrived, the sentence could be spoken again—although, in that case, it would probably be more common (although not essential) to say he is still the first man to arrive here.
In another scenario, consider a fantasy story involving a quest that has always been completed by women:
Although many women have done so, he is the first man to complete the quest.
He could have completed the quest many years ago, but you could still use the present tense while he is alive. (If he were to die, then the past tense would need to be used.)
Just because it happened at some point in the past doesn't mean that you have to use the past tense when you are talking about a still-existing quality of a person. If something is still true, or if it's a general truth, the present tense can be used in addition to the past tense.
answered May 15 at 22:58
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
20.1k22543
Will not it mean option 1 in any situations?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India The only possible scenario where I can see that would be something like a group of people going over a plan (such as in a strategy session for a robbery). They point at a map and one of them says, "Nancy cuts the power here. Then Rick is the first [man] to arrive here." In that very specific circumstance, the present tense and future tense could be mixed. But, normally, it would be considered a mistake. Instead, it would be he will be the first man to arrive here.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
what about this sentence? "He is the last man to arrive". Consider a situation where all the guests have arrived, only one person is yet to come. In that situation, won't that sentence mean that he is yet to arrive?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India No, that's fine. It's the same construction as he is the first man to complete the quest. It means that he not only was the last man to arrive—but, being alive, can claim that description about himself, since it is still a true statement.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
I am sorry friend, I didn't understand you clearly. Can you please say in in other way?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
It means exactly what it says. If there are one or more people who have come from somewhere else, then it describes the first man to have arrived.
It doesn't necessarily mean that he has just arrived.
If the event were being commentated on, the sentence could be spoken when the man appears. Many hours later, especially if no other man has arrived, the sentence could be spoken again—although, in that case, it would probably be more common (although not essential) to say he is still the first man to arrive here.
In another scenario, consider a fantasy story involving a quest that has always been completed by women:
Although many women have done so, he is the first man to complete the quest.
He could have completed the quest many years ago, but you could still use the present tense while he is alive. (If he were to die, then the past tense would need to be used.)
Just because it happened at some point in the past doesn't mean that you have to use the past tense when you are talking about a still-existing quality of a person. If something is still true, or if it's a general truth, the present tense can be used in addition to the past tense.
answered May 15 at 22:58
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
20.1k22543
Will not it mean option 1 in any situations?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India The only possible scenario where I can see that would be something like a group of people going over a plan (such as in a strategy session for a robbery). They point at a map and one of them says, "Nancy cuts the power here. Then Rick is the first [man] to arrive here." In that very specific circumstance, the present tense and future tense could be mixed. But, normally, it would be considered a mistake. Instead, it would be he will be the first man to arrive here.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
what about this sentence? "He is the last man to arrive". Consider a situation where all the guests have arrived, only one person is yet to come. In that situation, won't that sentence mean that he is yet to arrive?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India No, that's fine. It's the same construction as he is the first man to complete the quest. It means that he not only was the last man to arrive—but, being alive, can claim that description about himself, since it is still a true statement.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
I am sorry friend, I didn't understand you clearly. Can you please say in in other way?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
It means exactly what it says. If there are one or more people who have come from somewhere else, then it describes the first man to have arrived.
It doesn't necessarily mean that he has just arrived.
If the event were being commentated on, the sentence could be spoken when the man appears. Many hours later, especially if no other man has arrived, the sentence could be spoken again—although, in that case, it would probably be more common (although not essential) to say he is still the first man to arrive here.
In another scenario, consider a fantasy story involving a quest that has always been completed by women:
Although many women have done so, he is the first man to complete the quest.
He could have completed the quest many years ago, but you could still use the present tense while he is alive. (If he were to die, then the past tense would need to be used.)
Just because it happened at some point in the past doesn't mean that you have to use the past tense when you are talking about a still-existing quality of a person. If something is still true, or if it's a general truth, the present tense can be used in addition to the past tense.
answered May 15 at 22:58
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
20.1k22543
It means exactly what it says. If there are one or more people who have come from somewhere else, then it describes the first man to have arrived.
It doesn't necessarily mean that he has just arrived.
If the event were being commentated on, the sentence could be spoken when the man appears. Many hours later, especially if no other man has arrived, the sentence could be spoken again—although, in that case, it would probably be more common (although not essential) to say he is still the first man to arrive here.
In another scenario, consider a fantasy story involving a quest that has always been completed by women:
Although many women have done so, he is the first man to complete the quest.
He could have completed the quest many years ago, but you could still use the present tense while he is alive. (If he were to die, then the past tense would need to be used.)
Just because it happened at some point in the past doesn't mean that you have to use the past tense when you are talking about a still-existing quality of a person. If something is still true, or if it's a general truth, the present tense can be used in addition to the past tense.
answered May 15 at 22:58
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
20.1k22543
answered May 15 at 22:58
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
20.1k22543
answered May 15 at 22:58
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
20.1k22543
answered May 15 at 22:58
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
20.1k22543
20.1k22543
Will not it mean option 1 in any situations?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India The only possible scenario where I can see that would be something like a group of people going over a plan (such as in a strategy session for a robbery). They point at a map and one of them says, "Nancy cuts the power here. Then Rick is the first [man] to arrive here." In that very specific circumstance, the present tense and future tense could be mixed. But, normally, it would be considered a mistake. Instead, it would be he will be the first man to arrive here.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
what about this sentence? "He is the last man to arrive". Consider a situation where all the guests have arrived, only one person is yet to come. In that situation, won't that sentence mean that he is yet to arrive?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India No, that's fine. It's the same construction as he is the first man to complete the quest. It means that he not only was the last man to arrive—but, being alive, can claim that description about himself, since it is still a true statement.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
I am sorry friend, I didn't understand you clearly. Can you please say in in other way?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
Will not it mean option 1 in any situations?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India The only possible scenario where I can see that would be something like a group of people going over a plan (such as in a strategy session for a robbery). They point at a map and one of them says, "Nancy cuts the power here. Then Rick is the first [man] to arrive here." In that very specific circumstance, the present tense and future tense could be mixed. But, normally, it would be considered a mistake. Instead, it would be he will be the first man to arrive here.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
what about this sentence? "He is the last man to arrive". Consider a situation where all the guests have arrived, only one person is yet to come. In that situation, won't that sentence mean that he is yet to arrive?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India No, that's fine. It's the same construction as he is the first man to complete the quest. It means that he not only was the last man to arrive—but, being alive, can claim that description about himself, since it is still a true statement.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
I am sorry friend, I didn't understand you clearly. Can you please say in in other way?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
Will not it mean option 1 in any situations?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
Will not it mean option 1 in any situations?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India The only possible scenario where I can see that would be something like a group of people going over a plan (such as in a strategy session for a robbery). They point at a map and one of them says, "Nancy cuts the power here. Then Rick is the first [man] to arrive here." In that very specific circumstance, the present tense and future tense could be mixed. But, normally, it would be considered a mistake. Instead, it would be he will be the first man to arrive here.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
@Man_From_India The only possible scenario where I can see that would be something like a group of people going over a plan (such as in a strategy session for a robbery). They point at a map and one of them says, "Nancy cuts the power here. Then Rick is the first [man] to arrive here." In that very specific circumstance, the present tense and future tense could be mixed. But, normally, it would be considered a mistake. Instead, it would be he will be the first man to arrive here.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
what about this sentence? "He is the last man to arrive". Consider a situation where all the guests have arrived, only one person is yet to come. In that situation, won't that sentence mean that he is yet to arrive?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
what about this sentence? "He is the last man to arrive". Consider a situation where all the guests have arrived, only one person is yet to come. In that situation, won't that sentence mean that he is yet to arrive?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
@Man_From_India No, that's fine. It's the same construction as he is the first man to complete the quest. It means that he not only was the last man to arrive—but, being alive, can claim that description about himself, since it is still a true statement.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
@Man_From_India No, that's fine. It's the same construction as he is the first man to complete the quest. It means that he not only was the last man to arrive—but, being alive, can claim that description about himself, since it is still a true statement.
– Jason Bassford
yesterday
I am sorry friend, I didn't understand you clearly. Can you please say in in other way?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
I am sorry friend, I didn't understand you clearly. Can you please say in in other way?
– Man_From_India
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
You are correct. It can mean both things depending on the context. The context will tell you if it is describing something that is scheduled for the future, or something that has happened in the past.
answered May 15 at 23:12
ValkorValkor
2643
New contributor
Valkor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
You are correct. It can mean both things depending on the context. The context will tell you if it is describing something that is scheduled for the future, or something that has happened in the past.
answered May 15 at 23:12
ValkorValkor
2643
New contributor
Valkor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
You are correct. It can mean both things depending on the context. The context will tell you if it is describing something that is scheduled for the future, or something that has happened in the past.
answered May 15 at 23:12
ValkorValkor
2643
New contributor
Valkor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You are correct. It can mean both things depending on the context. The context will tell you if it is describing something that is scheduled for the future, or something that has happened in the past.
answered May 15 at 23:12
ValkorValkor
2643
New contributor
Valkor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered May 15 at 23:12
ValkorValkor
2643
New contributor
Valkor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered May 15 at 23:12
ValkorValkor
2643
answered May 15 at 23:12
ValkorValkor
2643
2643
New contributor
Valkor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Valkor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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