TransWikia.com

"Avoided" categorized as a type of presupposition

English Language & Usage Asked on June 11, 2021

while reading a Wiki page about pragmatics and presuppositions, I came upon this explanation:

Some further implicative predicates: […] X avoided Ving » X was expected to, or usually did, or
ought to V, etc.

I don’t understand how it presupposes the implication of "usually did".

If one says: "Tom avoided gaining weight." I could understand it presupposes Tom should have gained weight, ie. expected to gain weights. Yet, it seems to be a stretch to presuppose Tom usually gained weight.

Would someone please help explain? Thank you so much for helping!

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP