Question

1.Identify the pressuptions in the following sentences.Also test for constany under negation for each.

*The burglar realized that he had been filmed on closed circuit television.
*John hasn't driven a car since he had the accident.

​

Answer 1

Presuppositions and their constancy under negation:

*The burglar realized that he had been filmed on closed circuit television.

Presupposition: There is a burglar.

Constancy under negation: If we negate the sentence, we get "The burglar did not realize that he had been filmed on closed circuit television." This still presupposes the existence of a burglar, just that the burglar was not aware of being filmed.

*John hasn't driven a car since he had the accident.

Presupposition: John had an accident.

Constancy under negation: If we negate the sentence, we get "John has driven a car since he had the accident." This presupposes that John had an accident, as the sentence refers to driving a car after the accident. However, the negated sentence does not entail that John actually drove a car after the accident, only that the sentence itself presupposes the occurrence of the accident.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

Presumptions and test for constancy under negation:

The burglar realized that there is closed circuit television. Presumption: Closed circuit television was present and functional. Test for constancy under negation: The negation of this sentence would be "The burglar did not realize that he had been filmed on closed circuit television." The presumption would change to Closed circuit television was not present or functional.

John had an accident while driving a car. Presumption: John has driven a car before. Test for constancy under negation: The negation of this sentence would be "John has driven a car since he had the accident." The presumption would change to John has not driven a car before.