meanings of open

[hhtt21]

I would like to ask about the two different meaning of the open because I cannot distinguish between them.

Open: Become available "an opportunity opened up"
Open: Maka availabe "This opens up new possibilities."

So what is the difference between them?

Source: Wordweb

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

Although both sentences use the active voice, the first expresses a passive situation: without any actor, the opportunity appeared.

The second is entirely active: something ("this") acted to create the new possibilities.

 

[hhtt21]

Although both sentences use the active voice, the first expresses a passive situation: without any actor, the opportunity appeared.

The second is entirely active: something ("this") acted to create the new possibilities.

Is this the only difference? Is there any significant difference between them? Then can we think of "become available" is the passive form of "make available" ?

Thank you.

 

[teechar]

Open: (itself) Become available "an opportunity opened up"
Open: Make (something) available "This opens up new possibilities."

.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I would like to ask about the two different meanings (delete the) open because I cannot distinguish between them.

Open: Become available: "An opportunity opened up"
Open: Make available: "This opens up new possibilities."

So what is the difference between them?

Source: Wordweb

Thank you.

Nothing. They mean the same thing. In both, someone or something opened an opportunity.

You're welcome!

 

[Phaedrus]

Regarding passivization:

In the second sentence, "open" is used as a transitive verb, and the sentence can be passivized:

active voice: This opened up new opportunities. --> passive voice: New opportunities were opened up (by this).

In the first sentence, "open" is used as an intransitive verb, and the sentence cannot be passivized.

 

[hhtt21]

I would like to ask about the two different meanings (delete the) open because I cannot distinguish between them.

Is it: 1. "I would like to ask about the two different meanings of open" or 2. "I would like to ask about the two different meanings open" ?

Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

#1.

 

[hhtt21]

A person looking for an opportunity couldn't care less about any difference between the two. However, grammatically as has been noted, both sentences are active

What does it mean by "couldn't care less" ? Does it mean "could care much" i.e "give importance" ?

Thank you.

 

[teechar]

What does [STRIKE]it mean by[/STRIKE] "couldn't care less" mean? Does it mean "could care much" i.e "give importance"?
Thank you.

No. It means the person does not think (something) is important and does not care about it.

 

[GoesStation]

What does it mean by "couldn't care less" ?

It means the person cares about it the minimum possible amount: they don't care at all. Confusingly, you'll often hear Americans say I could care less to express the same idea. It's completely illogical but everyone understands it.

 

[hhtt21]

It means the person cares about it the minimum possible amount: they don't care at all. Confusingly, you'll often hear Americans say I could care less to express the same idea. It's completely illogical but everyone understands it.

Is this illogical situation a formal one? Would we read it in a serious newspaper?

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

It means the person cares about it the minimum possible amount: they don't care at all. Confusingly, you'll often hear Americans say I could care less to express the same idea. It's completely illogical but everyone understands it.

Is this illogical situation a formal one? Would we read it in a serious newspaper?

It's casual usage. You would see "I could care less" in a serious newspaper if the paper was quoting someone who said it. The same goes for "I couldn't care less," which is also rather casual.

 

[hhtt21]

It means the person cares about it the minimum possible amount: they don't care at all. Confusingly, you'll often hear Americans say I could care less to express the same idea. It's completely illogical but everyone understands it.

Then the illogical one should be an "expression mistake". And if "could care less" is illogical then "couldn't care less" is its logical form, isn't it?

Thank you.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Is it: 1. "I would like to ask about the two different meanings of open" or 2. "I would like to ask about the two different meanings open" ?

Thank you.

Of.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Is this illogical situation a formal one? Would we read it in a serious newspaper?

Thank you.

No and no. It's conversational.

You're welcome!

 

[GoesStation]

It means the person cares about it the minimum possible amount: they don't care at all. Confusingly, you'll often hear Americans say I could care less to express the same idea. It's completely illogical but everyone understands it.

Then the illogical one should be an "expression mistake".

A number of common expressions fail the logic test. I could care less, which means I couldn't, is one of them.

And if "could care less" is illogical then "couldn't care less" is its logical form, isn't it?

Yes.

 

[Skrej]

I've only heard this once, but it helps explain the "logic" (such as it is) behind 'could care less'.

"Well, I could care less, but it'd be a challenge."

I thought it was a delightful rebuttal.

 

[hhtt21]

It's casual usage.The same goes for "I couldn't care less," which is also rather casual.

Is the main verb "to care less" or is "couldn't care less" something such as fixed phrases ? Even some books related to language refer to "couldn't care less". Are there other uses such as "I am not caring less" or "you shouldn't care less" instead of "couldn't care less" ?

No and no. It's conversational

Are other uses conversational?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, "I couldn't care less" is a set phrase.