密歇根新闻广播 一场约会引起的纠纷:英语中

A listener named Toby recently wrote to us with the story of a first date that almost didn't happen.

He tells us that a mutual¹ friend put him in touch with a woman named Phyllis. Toby gave Phyllis a call on a Thursday and the two made plans to go out for dinner "next Sunday."

"In my mind, 'next Sunday' meant a week from the following Sunday, since the earlier Sunday would've been 'this' Sunday," Toby said.

A few days later, Toby got a call from Phyllis, who wanted to know why he hadn't come by to pick her up.

"In Phyllis' mind, I meant this coming Sunday. Needless² to say, she was all ready for me to pick her up on that earlier Sunday. After my no-show, and much to my future good fortune, she phoned me to ask what had happened," he said.

Luckily, there's a happy ending to this story. Toby and Phyllis did end up going out on a date and are now married.

We've to got ask though, if it's Thursday and someone tells you, "See you next Sunday," does that mean you'll see them in three days, or does it mean you'll see them in 10 days?

Unfortunately, we don't have a great answer for this one. Usage³ guides say "next" is ambiguous⁴, and there are people who would agree with Toby and others who would agree with Phyllis.

What's interesting though, is that it's not ambiguous when you're less specific.

For example, if someone tells you, "On Monday I bought a new shirt, but I returned it the next day," you'd assume⁵ they returned the shirt on Tuesday. Or if someone says, "Next month I'm taking a trip to Europe," that means they're going to Europe in March 2017

Naming the specific day or month is where things get confusing, and you end up with a situation like the one Toby and Phyllis found themselves in.

What do you think, does "next June" mean June 2017 or June 2018? If it's February 5, does "next Friday" mean February 10 or February 17?

In other words, are you Team Toby or Team Phyllis?

1 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

2 needless   

adj.不必，无须，不必要的，无用的

参考例句：

• Needless to say,I agree.无须说，我是同意的。
• It is needless to add that you are in want of a second.你需要一个助手，那是不必说的。

3 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

4 ambiguous   

adj.引起歧义的，模棱两可的，含糊不清的

参考例句：

• This sentence is ambiguous in sense.这个句子意思不清楚。
• The title of this chapter is ambiguous.这一章的标题含义模糊。

5 assume   

vt.假装；假定，设想；承担；呈现，采取

参考例句：

• I assume that he won't cheat you.想来他是不会骗你的。
• We can't assume anything in this case.在这种情况下我们不可能做出假设。