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[razaz]

My friend who is an English native speaker said one day when it was very hot: (I like the water when it is hot).
I was Completely confuesed, I asked her: do you mean you like the water-itself- when it is hot or do you mean you like the water when the weather is hot?
I think it means both.
Please explain to me.
thanks
Razaz

 

[edwinghansen]

Hi Razaz,
Your friend should be taken in context as is often the case. She said this in the context of the weather being hot. Her answer could have multiple meanings if you take it out of the context in which it was spoken. If she said this in winter then the meaning could be the opposite. IE if the weather is cold she likes the water to be hot. But as the weather is hot she likes the water as it is cool.
But you are right. Her answer does convey at least both of the meanings you mention. We call that ambigious, when a sentence has more than one meaning. In fact it can be quite difficult to write without making your sentence ambigious.
You too will confuse us because of ambiguity.
ed