Question
Updated on
4 February
- Korean
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
What does this sentence mean?
- "If you have been to Egypt, you would know how big the egyptian pyramid is."
1.You haven't been to Egypt, thus I'm sure you don't know how big it is.
2.You really have been to Egypt, thus I guess you know how big it is.
What does this sentence mean?
- "If you have been to Egypt, you would know how big the egyptian pyramid is."
1.You haven't been to Egypt, thus I'm sure you don't know how big it is.
2.You really have been to Egypt, thus I guess you know how big it is.
- "If you have been to Egypt, you would know how big the egyptian pyramid is."
1.You haven't been to Egypt, thus I'm sure you don't know how big it is.
2.You really have been to Egypt, thus I guess you know how big it is.
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
Read more comments
- English (US)
The context can change the meaning but it sounds like the speaker thinks that the person isn't telling (saying) the truth.
- People, who have visited Egypt, usually know how big the pyramid is.
More information is needed to definitely know the meaning.
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
There's no way of knowing without the full context of the conversation.
Highly-rated answerer
- Korean
Thank you
Do you mean the sentence can be interpreted both ways depending on the context?
Do you mean the sentence can be interpreted both ways depending on the context?
- English (US)
(1) is closer! You have the idea, that the speaker is unsure of the other person’s experience. The way it is written, it sounds more like the speaker does not think the listener knows, and is challenging them. If someone is saying this, then number (1) is definitely correct.
But it can also be used when writing about experiences in a more neutral way.
- English (US)
@hhoc2000 yes, and I think the best contextual clue would be conversation/speaking vs reading/writing. If this is being spoken, and in a conversation, (1) would be more likely. But if it is being written, like perhaps in a travel article, then it might mean more like (2).
- English (US)
Yes. You could be affirming that he knows what he's talking about or you could be questioning whether he knows what he's talking about.
It depends on the conversation and the inflection of your voice.
Highly-rated answerer
- Korean
- English (US)
- English (US)
Positive: "If you have been to Egypt, you know how big the egyptian pyramid is" so I'm going to use it as a size reference for something else or not spend much time talking about the size.
Negative: "If you have been to Egypt, you would know how big the egyptian pyramid is" but you clearly don't know how big it is so I doubt you have actually been to Egypt.
side note, we usually talk about them as the Egyptian Pyramids/Pyramids of Egypt, or name a specific pyramid if we're just talking about one.
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
Sign up
Recommended Questions
- “What do you call an interracial relationship?” …..happy. What’s the catch here??
- what is correct? Where are you study? Or Where do you study? Thank you.
- How to respond to "I hope you are doing well"?
- If you are not the correct person, please direct me the correct one. Does this sentence sound nat...
- 日本語を人に教えてあげるときに 丁寧に話す時 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 日常会話で話す時 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX と書きたいです。 「丁寧に話す時」...
Topic Questions
- "It’s gonna be tragic if we get lost here." sounds natural?
- My father asked me what did you do that I answered just because what does just because mean in th...
- 1. She currently doesn't have any regular medication. 2. She has not taken any regular medicatio...
- EQ (emotional quotient) tests have *come into vouge in recruiting circles. Is it okay to use "ha...
- I came across this sentence: 1. Slid all the way down on his face banging his head on every rock....
Newest Questions
- Can I use "after a year and a half" instead of "in a year and a half" in this sentence? He figur...
- A* "I need pens. Can you get me ones?" B: "I need pens. Can you get me some?" Hello! Do you t...
- What is the form of a word? Is it something like spelling and word-formation? Is "part of speech...
- About fashion categories, do the say "men's clothes" and "women's clothes"?
- ❪What does the following audio clip say?❫
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
What are gifts?
Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.
By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!
If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
