schedule

[Taka]

How would you interpret this sentence?

She has no schedule.

 

[billmcd]

You first.

 

[Taka]

What do you mean?

I don't know what exactly the sentence means, so I asked the question.

 

[abaka]

It means that in the time period we are talking about, she has not planned any activities, nor has anyone assigned her anything, so she is free to do whatever is necessary, whenever convenient.

 

[Taka]

So to you it doesn't really sound the same as 'She has time now/She is free now'? Does it sound a bit more specific?

 

[bhaisahab]

So to you it doesn't really sound the same as 'She has time now/She is free now'? Does it sound a bit more specific?

No, it doesn't mean "She has time/is free now". If anything it's rather more vague than it is specific.

 

[abaka]

If she has no schedule now, then it can certainly mean she is free now. It really depends on context.

 

[bhaisahab]

If she has no schedule now, then it can certainly mean she is free now. It really depends on context.

If she has nothing scheduled for now, she could be free.

 

[abaka]

Aha. "She has nothing scheduled now" is of course the careful way to say it. But "she's got no schedule", with the "now" implied, is common enough if a little sloppy.

 

[billmcd]

How would you interpret this sentence?

She has no schedule.

It's impossible to interpret without more information/context.

 

[Taka]

No, it doesn't mean "She has time/is free now". If anything it's rather more vague than it is specific.

Good. That's what I thought at first glance.

Thanks!

 

[Taka]

It's impossible to interpret without more information/context.

But you wouldn't come up with that expression when you simply have time, would you?

 

[abaka]

But you wouldn't come up with that expression when you simply have time, would you?

Possibly. Two variants:

Sloppy:

A. Would you like to have coffee with me today at three o'clock?
B. Well, I've got no schedule [have nothing scheduled]... OK!

Not sloppy:

A. Would you like to have coffee with me today?
B. Sure!
A. When is good? (When shall we meet?)
B. I have no schedule [= I have nothing scheduled, or even I never plan ahead]. Name a time!