Not everybody does

[Glizdka]

"Last time, you said you didn't like maths. I respect that; not everybody does, but you will need it in this class, so let's review some basics before we continue so that I'm sure you understand what I'm saying."

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In my original sentence, I wanted does to refer to liking maths. I said in my class during the second lesson the students had with me. During their first lesson, the previous one, I asked them if they liked maths, and they... well... almost uniformly said they didn't. It's a shame; you can't teach people physics without maths.

I think there's enough context to make does refer to liking maths, not respecting that, and at that moment the message was clear. However, I think that does in the sentence, when the sentence is isolated and devoid of context, could also refer to respecting that, with no clue as to which it is. Am I correct?

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O) "Last time, you said you didn't like maths. I respect that; not everybody does."
A) "Last time, you said you didn't like maths. I respect that; not everybody likes maths."
B) "Last time, you said you didn't like maths. I respect that; not everybody respects that."

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If the sentence could be misunderstood, what fix would you recommend?

 

[GoesStation]

You're right that the sentence is potentially ambiguous. I don't think a native speaker would misunderstand your intention, but using version A makes it 100% clear.

 

[Tdol]

I had to read it twice to see the possible ambiguity.

 

[GoesStation]

I had to read it twice to see the possible ambiguity.

Me too. But in general, any time a writer detects a possible ambiguity, it's a good idea to eliminate it. This is especially true for non-native speakers.

 

[jutfrank]

In writing, I'd say any ambiguity would be very unlikely, given the context.

In speech, there would be no ambiguity at all, thanks to prosodic cues (stress/intonation, etc.).

It's not clear whether you're asking about writing or speech. I assume the latter.

 

[Glizdka]

Would that rephrasal eliminate the possible ambiguity?

"Last time, you said you didn't like maths. Not everybody does, and I respect that, but..."

 

[GoesStation]

Would [STRIKE]that rephrasal[/STRIKE] this rephrasing eliminate the possible ambiguity?

"Last time, you said you didn't like maths. Not everybody does, and I respect that, but..."

Yes, that's perfect.

 

[Tdol]

Generally, people don't look for ambiguity. Ambiguity is a bigger problem in classrooms than ordinary life.

 

[GoesStation]

Generally, people don't look for ambiguity. Ambiguity is a bigger problem in classrooms than ordinary life.

True, but plenty of people have embarrassed themselves by publishing statements that could readily be understood differently from what was intended. I think it's wise for writers — particularly non-native speakers — to watch out for ambiguity.