what is the meaning of this sentence?

[hyunjinc]

consider the following sentence:

"students are guaranteed the RA funding through the first four years of their program"



NOTE: RA funding is granted over May to August
what is the meaning of the above sentence? how can the RA funding be guaranteed through four years, if I am to receive the funding only from May to August?

 

[hyunjinc]

meaning of this sentence....

consider the following sentence:

"students are guaranteed the RA funding through the first four years of their program"



NOTE: RA funding is granted over May to August
what is the meaning of the above sentence? how can the RA funding be guaranteed through four years, if I am to receive the funding only from May to August?

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: meaning of this sentence....

consider the following sentence:

"students are guaranteed the RA funding through the first four years of their program"



NOTE: RA funding is granted over May to August
what is the meaning of the above sentence? how can the RA funding be guaranteed through four years, if I am to receive the funding only from May to August?

I would say that it means that the student will receive the funding from May to August, for four consecutive years. If the student's program starts next year, then the funding will be given:

May to August 2011
May to August 2012
May to August 2013
May to August 2014

Saying that something is guaranteed to be given for four years, doesn't have to mean that it will be for 48 months.

Let's say I have a child who wants a place at summer school every summer for the next 10 years. If I apply to the summer school, I might receive the reply "Thank you for your application. I am happy to offer your child a place for four years but after that, you would have to re-apply". My child will only actually attend the summer school for perhaps six weeks, during July and August, but the school is happy to offer her a place every summer for the next four years. I think the same applies to the "RA funding". It will be available from May to August for a maximum of four years.

 

[Rover_KE]

It means it will be guaranteed from May to August during each of four consecutive years.

Rover

 

[emsr2d2]

You asked the exact same question three times on 25 July. I distinctly remember replying to it here:

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/126845-meaning-sentence.html

You also posted a very similar question on 24 July.

Do you not believe our answers?! :roll:

 

[Barb_D]

I've merged the threads.

 

[crazYgeeK]

Can we use "continuous years" instead of "consecutive years" ?
Another expression "... four years continuously" ?

Thank you very much !

 

[Barb_D]

Continuously would not work here as well because it means without stopping, but in this case, it's only for a few months each year.