a. That is an exam he has to work hard to pass.
One meaning of that sentence would be:
1. In order to pass that exam, he has to work hard.
But could (a) also mean
2. That is an exam he has to work hard and pass.
?
Many thanks
work hard to pass
work hard to pass
ACCESS_POST_ACTIONSRe: work hard to pass
First, a slight correction to the wording of 2):
2. That is an exam he has to work hard for and pass.
I don't think a) is ambiguous because it lacks the aforementioned "for" that would be needed to give the second meaning.
You would also have to substitute "and pass" for "to pass" in order to make it clear that working hard and passing the exam are both separate requirements {in other words, to clarify that working hard is not merely an instrumental activity for passing the exam). This world make the sentence identical to my version of 2).
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2. That is an exam he has to work hard for and pass.
I don't think a) is ambiguous because it lacks the aforementioned "for" that would be needed to give the second meaning.
You would also have to substitute "and pass" for "to pass" in order to make it clear that working hard and passing the exam are both separate requirements {in other words, to clarify that working hard is not merely an instrumental activity for passing the exam). This world make the sentence identical to my version of 2).
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