Present

English translation: No, say "gift".

16:15 Jul 22, 2020
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Philosophy
English term or phrase: Present
Hello, I would like to know if in this phrase, the context is understood.


"Mainly, I will do everything in my power to make my future, your present, a better world for you. This will be my present."


The first "present" means the time (past, present, future) and the second "present" means "gift".


It woul make sense for an american reader or not?


Thanks in advance
Tanawan Rodrigues
Brazil
Local time: 19:46
Selected answer:No, say "gift".
Explanation:
No, you shouldn't use the same word with two meanings. It's confusing, and the reader will have to stop and work out what's going on.
Selected response from:

philgoddard
United States
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +10No, say "gift".
philgoddard
4Yes, I'd say so
Paolo Cirello
4gift or italicize the second "present"
Katya Kesten


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
present
Yes, I'd say so


Explanation:
Yes, I'd say so

Paolo Cirello
Italy
Local time: 00:46
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  AllegroTrans: It might make sense but it might also confuse
4 days
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5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +10
present
No, say "gift".


Explanation:
No, you shouldn't use the same word with two meanings. It's confusing, and the reader will have to stop and work out what's going on.

philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Helena Chavarria: I'd definitely say 'gift'.
13 mins

agree  Tomislav Vuković: I would also say 'gift'.
30 mins

agree  Clauwolf
48 mins

agree  Yvonne Gallagher
2 hrs

agree  Tina Vonhof (X): Using 'gift' would prevent confusion.
3 hrs

agree  Cristina Rivera González: Using gift would not only prevent confusion but also dramatize the abstract meaning of the sentence.
6 hrs

agree  Phyllis Ang: Agree.
15 hrs

agree  Charlesp
1 day 1 hr

agree  AraProz
1 day 12 hrs

agree  AllegroTrans
4 days
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37 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
present
gift or italicize the second "present"


Explanation:
Depends on the context/if you’d like to highlight the wordplay. If you do, italicize the second “present”; if you don’t, and this is simply meant to be general speech, then use “gift.”

Katya Kesten
Local time: 17:46
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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