I am looking for an example of a transitive verb with an ambiguous meaning that is determined by its subject.
To explain what I mean, here is an example of a transitive verb whose meaning is modified by the object to which it is applied: to bend. You can bend a bow or you can bend the truth. Arguably, these give two different meanings of the same verb.
Now, can you think of a similar effect induced by the subject that performs the action of a verb? I am looking for a similar case where the change of meaning comes from the subject.
I hope this is clear. Thanks!
(For those interested in why I need this, I am researching a specific model in computational linguistics and want to test it on such a verb, if it exists.)
Best Answer
The computer runs a program. The river runs a waterwheel. The racer runs a race.
For many transitive definitions of run there are variations based upon subject and object.