[Vocabulary] claim a place on the team

Hi,

Which of the following definitions fits the use of "claim" in "He claimed a place on the team"?

1. to ask for something of value because you think it belongs to you or because you think you have a right to it:
2. to gain, win or achieve

I'd appreciate your help.

2

Without context, by far the most likely interpretation of the sentence is that he was selected for the team by the coach or manager.

jutfrank said:

2

Without context, by far the most likely interpretation of the sentence is that he was selected for the team by the coach or manager.

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I find it difficult to determine what kind of object sense 2 takes.
When "claim" takes "victory" as the object, it does not mean "achieve victory" as sense 2 indicates.

#1, and in that sense or context sometimes arbitrary or controversial.

Yankee said:

#1, and in that sense or context sometimes arbitrary or controversial.

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Just to be sure, do you think "claim" means "to ask for something of value" in "He claimed a place on the team," pace jutfrank?

I think of it as more of a demand than a request. The person is saying it is something they deserve.

(My opinion.)

Tarheel said:

I think of it as more of a demand than a request. The person is saying it is something they deserve.

(My opinion.)

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Are you referring to the example sentence "He claimed a place on the team"?

Yes. (That's the one we're talking about.)

Tarheel said:

Yes. (That's the one we're talking about.)

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You don't think the second sense of "claim," i.e. to gain, win, or achieve, is applicable?

It depends on context. I would say that if a place on the team was on offer, he demonstrated the requisite talent/ability to play well, and the place was given to him, then he "claimed" it by "winning/achieving" it.

emsr2d2 said:

It depends on context. I would say that if a place on the team was on offer, he demonstrated the requisite talent/ability to play well, and the place was given to him, then he "claimed" it by "winning/achieving" it.

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You seem to be saying the second sense applies. What about the first?

raymondaliasapollyon said:

You seem to be saying the second sense applies. What about the first?

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Ems said:

It depends on context.
:roll:

Tarheel said:

Ems said:

It depends on context.
:roll:

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Is there a contradiction in ""He claimed a place on the team, but he was rejected"?

I reckon context has limits. I've met people who say "claim victory" cannot mean "achieve victory," despite the second sense I listed.

emsr2d2 said:

It depends on context.

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Absolutely.

I thought (perhaps mistakenly) that raymondaliasapollyon was asking about the most likely interpretation without added context.

Is that right, Raymond?

raymondaliasapollyon said:

Is there a contradiction in "He claimed a place on the team, but he was rejected"?

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No, there is no contradiction.

Do you know what a claim is?
www.dictionary.com

I've just asked four other people what their interpretations are, and all four of them agree with me that the verb claim means that he took a place, rather than just asked.

I'm fairly surprised that posts #4 and #6 take the other interpretation. I really do think that's much less likely.

Among many similar definitions:"A demand for something due or believed to be true". And I'm seeking "four other people" who agree with me. :-D

I have decided that "He claimed a place on the team" means the same as "He joined the team"

I haven't seen that phrase before, and I doubt that I ever will again.

I'm out of here!
:hi:

jutfrank said:

Absolutely.

I thought (perhaps mistakenly) that raymondaliasapollyon was asking about the most likely interpretation without added context.

Is that right, Raymond?

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I'm exploring the limits of context. Is there a contradiction in "John claimed the watch, but the police didn't give it to him"?