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Thread: Is 'each' obligatory?

  1. 25-Dec-2012, 09:36 #1
    Winwin2011
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    Default Is 'each' obligatory?

    There are three robots on the shelf in a toy shop.

    Customer: How much are the robots?
    Shop assistant: They are one hundred dollars./They are one hundred dollars each.

    Are they both natural in the dialogue of the Shop assistant? Is 'each' obligatory?

    Thanks.
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  2. 25-Dec-2012, 10:00 #2
    Tdol
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    Default Re: Is 'each' obligatory?

    Each is not obligatory.
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  3. 25-Dec-2012, 11:11 #3
    sergeyrais
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    Default Re: Is 'each' obligatory?

    I guess without each
    one hundred dollars can be understood as the price for all three robots on the shelf in the toy shop.
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  4. 25-Dec-2012, 19:39 #4
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    Default Re: Is 'each' obligatory?

    Quote Originally Posted by sergeyrais View Post
    I guess without each
    one hundred dollars can be understood as the price for all three robots on the shelf in the toy shop.
    It's unlikely.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.

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  5. 26-Dec-2012, 09:26 #5
    Tdol
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    Default Re: Is 'each' obligatory?

    Quote Originally Posted by sergeyrais View Post
    I guess without each
    one hundred dollars can be understood as the price for all three robots on the shelf in the toy shop.
    We generally go for the most obvious and probable meaning. The most likely meaning is that they cost that each. If we need clarification, we can always ask.
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