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Difference Between Entailment and Presupposition

November 9, 2016 Posted by Hasa

Key Difference – Entailment vs Presupposition
 

When we hear an utterance, we usually try to understand not only what the words mean, but what the speaker of those words intends to convey. Entailment and presupposition are two pragmatic elements that help us in this. The key difference between entailment and presupposition is that entailment is the relationship between two sentences whereas presupposition is an assumption made by the speaker prior to making an utterance.

What is an Entailment?

Entailment is the relationship between two sentences/propositions, where the truth of one proposition implies the truth of the other since both of them are involved with the meaning of words. It’s the sentences, not speakers that have entailments. Entailments also depend on the meaning of the sentence, not the meaning of the context.

For example,

  1. The terrorists assassinated the king.
  2. The king died.
  3. The terrorists assassinated someone.

b) and c) are true because sentence a) is true. Thus, their truth depends on the meaning of the utterance.Key Difference - Entailment vs Presupposition

What is a Presupposition?

A presupposition is something that the speaker assumes to be the case prior to making an utterance. It’s the speakers, not the sentences that have presuppositions.

For example, if someone tells you, ‘Jane’s sister got married’, there’s an obvious presupposition that Jane has a sister.

There are several types of presuppositions.

Existential Presupposition:

The speaker presupposes the existence of the entities.

Ex:

Marie’s house is new.

  • Marie exists.
  • Marie has a house.

Factive Presupposition:

Certain verbs or constructions indicate that something is a fact.

Ex:

I regret believing him.

  • I believed him.

I’m glad it’s over.

  • It’s over.

Lexical Presupposition:

The speaker can convey another meaning using one word

He called me again.

  • He called me before.

She gave up smoking.

  • She used to smoke.Difference Between Entailment and Presupposition

Structural Presupposition:

Use of certain words and phrases makes some presuppositions.

When did you call her?

  • You called her.

Why did you buy this dress?

  • You bought a dress.

Non- factive Presupposition:

Certain words indicate that some things are not true.

I pretended to agree with her.

  • I did not agree with her.

She dreamt she was rich.

  • She is not rich.

Counterfactual Presupposition:

It implies that what is presupposed is not true, and the contrary is true.

If he hadn’t been my friend, I wouldn’t have helped him.

  • He is my friend.

What is the difference between Entailment and Presupposition?

Meaning:

Entailment: Entailment is the relation between sentences or propositions.

Presupposition: Presupposition is an assumption a speaker makes prior to making an utterance.

Speakers vs Sentences:

Entailment: Sentences have entailments.

Presupposition: Speakers have presuppositions.

Truth:

Entailment: The negation of the first sentence will affect the truth of the second sentence.

  1. The king was assassinated.
  • The king died.
  1. Negation: The king was not assassinated.
  • The king died. →  not true.

Presupposition: The negation of the first utterance may not affect the second sentence.

  1. Her car is new.
  • She has a car.
  1. Negation: Her car is new.
  • She has a car.→ presupposition is not changed.

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Filed Under: Language Tagged With: Compare Entailment and Presupposition, Counterfactual Presupposition, Entailment, Entailment and Presupposition Differences, Entailment Characteristics, Entailment Definition, Entailment vs Presupposition, Existential Presupposition, Factive Presupposition, Lexical Presupposition, Non- factive Presupposition, Presupposition, Presupposition Characteristics, Presupposition Definition, Structural Presupposition

About the Author: Hasa

Hasa is a BA graduate in the field of Humanities and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in the field of English language and literature. Her areas of interests include language, literature, linguistics and culture.

Comments

  1. Akhil says

    March 18, 2020 at 6:34 am

    what is the difference between structural presupposition and factive presupposition?

    Reply
  2. Sameer Zamil says

    June 18, 2021 at 7:43 pm

    what is the difference between entailment and implicature?

    Reply
  3. Black Aristotle says

    October 20, 2021 at 11:15 am

    I love your presentation.

    Reply
  4. Oh Ri Jin says

    December 19, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    Your presentation is very impressive but I have questions for you can you please explain me these;
    Can we presuppose the 2nd sentence while 1st sentence is true?
    If 1st one is true and 2nd one is presupposed than the 1st can be considered as a entailment or not?

    Reply

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