What do “all” and “some” mean? Both “all” and “some”, have meanings that depend on the argument. All means, “Every single one, no exceptions”. All can sometimes mean “Every single one, and there is at least one”. Some means, “At least one”. Some can also mean “At least one,but not all.”
The word “some” is typically used when someone is trying to be vague. The speaker is not being accurate and wants their options to be broad. For example, when I asked my brother if I could eat “some” of his chips, I was really asking him if I could eat a majority of the bag. He replied by saying I could eat “some”. That answer was very nonspecific and allowed me to interpret it the way I wanted to which was that I could eat a majority of the bag, when he could have really only meant to allow me to have one or two. He really should have been more specific. Nevertheless, by saying I could have “some”, he was guaranteeing that I could at least have one chip.
Ralph Lauren,
ReplyDeleteYou had a very simple explanation of what "all" and "some" means. I agree that using the term "some" is too vague. "Some" of a certain thing could range from being a lot or a little. Your example of eating "some" of your brother's chips was a good one. In your case, you took "some" as in a lot. In his case, he probably meant just a little. I know if I ate a majority of my brother's bag of chips, he would have been angry! By using the word "some" can cause confusion and arguments because it is unclear and vague.
Hello Ralph Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog was clear and easily understood. The word "some" is vague and unclear. I also agree that the word "some" can also represent a certain but unclear amount of anything which makes it vague. I like your example about the use of "some." I have done the same with my brother before and on both parts we were both being very vague but had a different meaning in mind. I agree that if your brother did not want you to eat that much chips he should have been more specific. Overall, your blog was great.
Hey Ralph Lauren!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your blogpost and the example you used for the word "some." That is a scenario that seriously made me laugh out loud because I find myself and my friends always using the word some to be less specific when we want to eat some of each others food. When I ask my roomates, can I have some chips, I normally say some for the purpose of eating all that I want. They say some implying that, yeah you can have at least one. Doing this of course, doesn't go over well haha. But anyways, great post! It was very simple and easy to understand by your example that "some" is a word that can be to vague as two people can interpret the meaning differently.