Resolving multiple possible interpretations of a sentence based on context and linguistic cues.

Referring back to a previous word or phrase for interpretation, as in “John saw a cat. It was chasing a mouse.”

Understanding the meaning of verbs and their complements, such as “try to,” “begin to,” or “like to.”

Connecting words like “and,” “but,” or “or” affect how the meanings of individual clauses combine.

Ensuring that sentences in a discourse connect logically, contributes to overall comprehension.

Omitting words that can be understood from context, like in “John likes coffee, and Mary does too” (where “likes coffee” is understood).

Words like “can,” “must,” or “should” contribute nuances to the meaning of a statement.

Adjectives or adverbs modify the meaning of nouns or verbs, like “bright sun” or “run quickly.”

Adding “not” to a sentence can drastically change its meaning, as in “She is happy” versus “She is not happy.”

Expressing the same meaning using different words or structures, reveals the flexibility of language expression.

Words like “in,” “on,” or “under” provide spatial relationships, impacting the meaning of phrases.

Assumptions or background information conveyed by a sentence, even if not explicitly stated, like “John regrets selling his car.”

The flexibility of quantifier placement in a sentence, affects interpretation, as in “Every student didn’t pass” versus “Not every student passed.”

The interpretation of quantifiers in complex sentences, such as “every student likes some book.”

Words expressing quantity, such as “some,” “all,” or “many,” impact the overall meaning of a statement.

The way words are structured in a sentence influences meaning, as in subject-verb-object relationships.

Different sentence structures can lead to multiple interpretations, requiring context for clarity. Understanding how these elements combine helps decipher the compositional semantics of a language.

Temporal markers like past, present, or future tense influence the interpretation of events.