Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenka  I am not sure whether I can put my question just into this section, linguistics... I am sorry if you don't find it "convenient".
I've read about antagonyms here: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/antagonym.html .
I just can't imagine any sentences where some of the words really would have different (opposite) meanings...
Could you write some sentences (for both of the meanings) using the following ones? - citation, cut, dust, literally, moot, oversight.
It would be really helpful! Thank you. |
I will write some senetnces and then try to indicate why the words are called anatgonyms.
John received a citation for speeding. (a bad thing -- a traffic ticket)
John received a citation for bravery. (a good thing -- an award)
John cut in line outside the movie theater. (entered a line of people)
John cut class last Thursday. (left a group of students in a classroom)
Mary dusted the furniture for the party. (removed dust from the furniture)
The detective dusted the table for fingerprints. (applied dust to the table)
John literally turned into a demon. (it wasn't literal at all)
John translated the passage literally. (word for word)
You don't have to worry about that now; it's a moot point. (argument is no longer necessary)
The students presented their arguments in moot court. (a place where arguments are heard)
His oversight of the project was credited with its success. (careful management)
The project's failure was blamed on several oversights. (careless mistake)
Don't get too excited about antagonyms (aka contranyms). While they point out some interesting conflicts in meaning, context almost always resolves the difficulty.