Re: The...the... (and other comparisons)

Jim Henry wrote:
> On 4/26/06, Roger Mills <rfmilly@...> wrote:
> >..........True, saying "X is
> > healthier" is elliptical, but it's a reduction _in context_ of "X is
> > healthier than [whatever]", and would depend on the hearer's prior
> > knowledge
> > of the situation-- the presuppositions and assumptions underlying the
> > discourse. "X is healthier" simply would not occur, out of the blue, as
> > the
> > first statement in a new discourse.
>
> It might occur as the first statement in a conversation, if
> there had been a previous conversation between the same
> people about X's state of health.   "X is healthier [now than
> he/she was when we spoke last]".
>
Sure, but that falls under "presuppositions and assumptions". And would
there be a time limit on that previous conversation? A day? a week? probably
OK. A month? maybe.  Six months-- a year, or more? unlikely.

I really meant "out of the blue".  Example: no List members have any
knowledge of my health or financial status. Therefore I could not send a
msg. stating "I'm healthier! I'm richer!" (without further info) and expect
it to make any sense to anyone.

Healthier/richer than what? who? when?