Attributive and referential uses of definite descriptions

Reference no: EM13324348

Related to Lycan, page 23, where he discusses Donnellan’s distinction between attributive and referential uses of definite descriptions, consider the emphasised descriptions (flanked by stars) in the sentences below. For each description, specify whether it is more likely that I’m using it attributively or referentially, and briefly explain why you think so.

(i) *The tallest woman on Earth* must be quite famous.

(ii) *The man we met at the mall* didn’t look very happy.

(iii) *The next president* won’t have an easy job.

(iv) *The guy you were chatting with* might actually be *whoever Sally was talking about a few months ago*. (note: there are 2 descriptions in this sentence)

Reference no: EM13324348

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