Pragmatics Exercises

1. Context adds many details to the interpretation of any sentence. State what information the context adds to each of the following sentences.

      a. I broke my cup.

      b. I broke the string.

      c. The bottle is on the table.

      d. The plate is on the table.

      e. I didn’t turn off the stove.

2. Write down three sentences that you hear in conversation that depend upon the context for their interpretation. For each sentence describe the context of utterance and explain the information that the context adds to the sentence’s literal meaning. Also explain what implicatures the sentences have.

3. Pronouns create enormous semantic problems. The following sentences contain an underlined pronoun that is ambiguous. State at least two different interpretations the pronoun has and whether you prefer one interpretation over the other. Try to explain your preference.

      a. I found a bowl on the table and filled it with candy.

      b. Tom has a new sound card for his computer. It fills his need for material possessions.

      c. Tom bought a new sound card for the computer. It still needs several more upgrades.

      d. Sally got a blue case for her computer. Mabel’s computer has a red case. I like it better.

      e. Tom went to the computer store with Ralph. He found a sound card for his computer.

      f. Tom took Ralph to the computer store. He found a sound card for his computer.

      g. Mabel promised to ask Sally. She didn’t understand directions.

      h. Mabel hesitated to ask Sally. She didn’t understand directions.

4. One of the two sentences in each of the following sentence pairs contains a presupposition that relates to the truth of the complement clause. For each pair of sentences:

      i. Identify the sentence that contains the presupposition.

      ii. State the word that is responsible for the presupposition.

      a.   A: John regrets that Maria went to the graduation ceremony by herself.

            B: John thinks that Maria went to the graduation ceremony by herself.

      b.   A: The captain thought that the ship was in danger.

            B: The captain realized that the ship was in danger.

      c.   A: It is significant that the criminal was sentenced.

            B: It is likely that the criminal was sentenced.

5. The negation test can be used to detect a presupposition because negation does not alter a presupposition. For example, the question Have you stopped hugging your sheltie? presupposes that you hugged your sheltie. The question Haven’t you stopped hugging your sheltie? has the same presupposition. Apply the negation test to the following sentences and state the presupposition that holds up under negation.

      a. Carl said that he would stop missing class.

      b. We went to the ballpark again.

      c. Lesley wants more popcorn.

      d. Jack knows who discovered Pluto in 1930.

      e. Mary was horrified to find a cockroach in her shower.

6. Each of the following sentence pairs contains a conversational implicature. Identify the implicature in each example.

      a.   A: Have you washed the dishes and emptied the trash yet?

            B: I emptied the trash.

      b.   A: Did you reach Mark yet?

            B: I tried calling him yesterday.

      c.   A: What did you think of the movie?

            B: The actor playing the villain did a great job.

      d.   A: Do you have any pets?

            B: I have a dog.

7. Each of the following statements produces a conversational implicature in the described situation. What is it?

      a.   Situation:  Someone is blocking your view.

            Statement: You make a better door than a window.

      b.   Situation:  You’re at a party and it’s 4 am.

            Statement: It’s getting late.

      c.   Situation:  It’s 10 o’clock and you haven’t eaten dinner.

            Statement: The restaurants are open until midnight.

      d.   Situation:  Someone is standing on your toe.

            Statement: This wouldn’t hurt so badly if you’d diet.

8. A scalar implicature is produced by referring to a measure of some quantity. The sentence I’m missing a shoe has the scalar implicature that you are only missing one shoe. The following sentences have scalar implicatures. State what the scalar implicature is and cancel it with negation.

      a. Bret has two sisters.

      b. I would like a veggie burger.

      c. Would you like tomato or lettuce on it?

      d. This class has three exams.

      e. Some of the boys left early.