Student’s name Student’s ID
Trần Tuyết Nhi 20131020
Đào Nguyễn Anh Trúc 20131214
Nguyễn Thị Anh Thư 20131198
I. Provide examples to distinguish lexical presupposition from factive presupposition &
non-factive from counter-factual presupposition.
Lexical Presupposition Factive Presupposition
The assumption that
something is true due to the
The assumption is that, in using one presence of some verbs such
Definition word, the speaker can act as if another as "know" and "realize" and
meaning (word) will be understood of phrases involving as “be”
with “aware”, “glad”, or
“odd” ...
- I’m glad that you passed
the exam.
- Mary stopped running
(>>You passed the exam.)
(>>Mary used to run.)
The sentences describe
When you say that “Mary stopped
factive presupposition
running”, the asserted meaning is that
Example because the presupposed
Mary used to run.
information following a verb
like “glad” can be treated as
Another example:
a fact, so “You passed the
- You are late again.
exam” is a presupposition.
(>> You were late before.)
Non-factive Presupposition Counter-factual Presupposition
Definition An assumption that something is not true. The assumption that what is
Verbs like "dream", "imagine" and presupposed is not only untrue,
"pretend" are used with the presupposition but is the opposite of what is true,
that what follows is not true. or contrary to facts. (in some
unreal conditionals)
Example - I dreamed that I was rich. - If you were my daughter, I
(>> I am not rich) would not allow you to do this.
- We imagined that we were in London. (>> You are not my daughter)
(>> We are not in London) At the time of utterance, this is not
true, the speaker doesn't have a
daughter.
II. Identify the conventional presuppositions in the following utterances:
1. In delivering my son from me, I bury a second husband. (Existential Presupposition,
>> The speaker is already married and has a son).
2. Come here my varlet, I'll unarm again. (Lexical Presupposition, >> the speaker has
unarmed the varlet before).
3. When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning, or in rain? (Lexical
Presupposition & Structural presupposition, >>There have been previous meetings
between the speaker and the other two individuals mentioned).
4. Who keeps the gate here? (Lexical and Factive Presupposition, >>There is a gate
present in the vicinity, and someone is responsible for its maintenance or guarding.)
5. Who's there? (Structural presupposition-there is someone or something present in the
vicinity that prompted the speaker to inquire about their identity.)
6. I wonder how the king escaped our hands. (Factive Presupposition, >>The king's
escape was unexpected or unexplained, prompting the speaker's wonderment.)
7. If music be the food of love, play on! (Counterfactual Presupposition, >> At the time of
utterance, “music be the food of love” is not true).
8. Sue made another of her telephone calls.
III. What is pragmatically presupposed in each of the follwing?
1. Could I not have a twenty pence coin in the change, please?
Pragmatic presupposition:
The speaker expects that it is possible for the change to include a twenty pence coin.
2. Thank you for not smoking (notice posted on a door)
Pragmatic presupposition: The notice implies that smoking is prohibited in the area.
Additionally, it presupposes that people typically smoke in the area, and the notice
serves as a reminder or instruction to refrain from smoking.
