The “Only” in the latter example lends exclusivity to the context, and the only word that can be ascribed an exclusion is the word “guys” by interpreting it in a gendered context.
That is the perfect amount of ambiguity that makes linguistics unclear and invalidates my example. Luckily, human language has a mechanisms for solving this: a clarifying question; Could you please clarify what you mean by “guys” in this context?
Guys is one of those weird words that’s gender neutral in some cases, and definitely male only in other cases.
“Fuck those guys” – gender neutral, “those guys” might include women.
“I only fuck guys” – I’m gay, I don’t fuck women.
The “Only” in the latter example lends exclusivity to the context, and the only word that can be ascribed an exclusion is the word “guys” by interpreting it in a gendered context.
How many guys have you fucked?
That is the perfect amount of ambiguity that makes linguistics unclear and invalidates my example. Luckily, human language has a mechanisms for solving this: a clarifying question; Could you please clarify what you mean by “guys” in this context?