poconofishy
04/26/2006, 01:45 AM
This exercise is from a training course in business communications.
What does this sentence mean?
"I didn't say she took the money."
The answer is: We don’t know.
Say the sentence out loud. Emphasize the word in bold and hesitate before finishing the rest of the sentence.
"I didn't say she took the moneyâ€
Translate as “not ‘it’†= acknowledges someone may have made the statement, but it wasn’t me.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “denial†= I did not make that statement.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “partially correct†= I didn’t say the statement, … but I wrote the statement.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “wrong person†= I didn’t say (Wilma) took the money, someone other than Wilma took the money, perhaps Betty took the money.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “incorrect action†= she may have stole the money, or she may have left the money, she may have refused the money, but she didn’t take the money.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “specific†= she took $20.00, not the specific money (for example, the $10,000 we need for the new car.)
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “incorrect object†= she took something else; she took the honey, not the money.
One small little sentence, numerous different interpretations
What does this sentence mean?
"I didn't say she took the money."
The answer is: We don’t know.
Say the sentence out loud. Emphasize the word in bold and hesitate before finishing the rest of the sentence.
"I didn't say she took the moneyâ€
Translate as “not ‘it’†= acknowledges someone may have made the statement, but it wasn’t me.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “denial†= I did not make that statement.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “partially correct†= I didn’t say the statement, … but I wrote the statement.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “wrong person†= I didn’t say (Wilma) took the money, someone other than Wilma took the money, perhaps Betty took the money.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “incorrect action†= she may have stole the money, or she may have left the money, she may have refused the money, but she didn’t take the money.
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “specific†= she took $20.00, not the specific money (for example, the $10,000 we need for the new car.)
"I didn't say she took the money."
Translate as “incorrect object†= she took something else; she took the honey, not the money.
One small little sentence, numerous different interpretations