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Please consider the below sentences

The word X produces meaning Y
The word X produces meaning Y in sentence Z

Is "produces meaning" valid in the above sentence? If yes, which seems to be more valid between the both of the above sentences? And if not, may I know why it is not valid?

(the sense intended here is the word X has meaning Y, not sentence Z has meaning Y).

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We need more context here. Do you want to convey that when used in sentence Z, the word X itself has the meaning Z? Or that the meaning of the entire sentence Z is Y if you use the word X? If it's that second case, I'd just point out that sometimes the sentence might have a completely different meaning if you used a different word A instead of X, even though in some other sentences it's possible A and X are normally considered to have exactly the same meaning (if you see what I mean! :) – FumbleFingers Dec 21 '12 at 23:40
@FumbleFingers: I am afraid I didn't follow your reasoning. How ever here the focus is the word produces along with meaning. My intention is can I say "The word "X produces meaning Y" when X is used in sentence Z. – Hanu Dec 22 '12 at 5:24
You are simply repeating yourself - which is pointless, since if I didn't understand it the first time, there's no reason I will understand it any better through repetition. I mean - are you trying to say that Y would be the meaning of the word X, or that Y would be the meaning of the sentence Z (when it happens to use the word X instead of some other word)? – FumbleFingers Dec 22 '12 at 5:29
I give up. I've just asked Do you mean A or B?, and you've answered "No". I shall just upvote all the answers, since they all make sense, even if the question doesn't. – FumbleFingers Dec 22 '12 at 5:49
@FumbleFingers: My apologies for not being clear. Some internet problems and unnecessary enter key stroke are the culprits here. My intentions A(Y would be the meaning of the word X) and not B – Hanu Dec 22 '12 at 5:58
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3 Answers

up vote 3 down vote

No, it really doesn't sound very good to say produces meaning. Just say means instead.

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up vote 3 down vote

Not only doesn't it sound good, but it's untrue.

Meaning is not "produced" by words, but rather interpreted, by human beings, in context. And human beings don't all interpret things, even words, in the same ways. As should be obvious.

Best not to fool around with "meaning" at all, really. If you want to look up a word in a dictionary, fine. But don't create understanding difficulties you don't need.

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up vote 1 down vote

You might consider using the word implies instead of "produces meaning".

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