what is the meaning of this sentence?

Question

Hello, im a foreigner and studing english now. please explain the meaning of the flowing sentence....

Someone wants to make an appointment with Mr Tomas but his secretary said:
"I am so sorry but Mr Tomas has had a medical emergency and will not be available this afternoon. "

Does it mean Dr Tomas will give a medical emergency on others or he himself is ill?

Thank you!!!

Answer 1

First, is he a Dr Thomas or a Mr Thomas. That would make a difference. If, as he is addressed first, he is Mr Thomas, it can have two meanings. The first meaning is that he is not available as a close family member / members (or friends) has / have been involved in an accident or taken seriously ill. The second meaning is that Mr Thomas may have had a serious accident or taken seriously ill (heart attack etc.). In either case, the secretary had no right to divulge that information as it could cause some distress to Mr Thomas and / or his family. All she needed to say was that he wasn't available. As for Dr Thomas, it is highly likely that he has been called out to a sick patient. Before posting this sort of question, make sure the information needed is clear, otherwise you may not get the correct answer.

Answer 2

The sentence infers that Mr Thomas has a personal issue that centers around a medical emergency. It does not state whether that emergency is that he is ill. It may mean that someone else he is associated with is ill and that he feels a need to attend to the situation.

Answer 3

In the sentence it states "Mr Tomas has had a medical emergency" The has had means he himself is ill. If the word "has" was not in the sentence it would mean the emergency was for his patients.

Answer 4

It could be any of the two things:

1) That he himself (or any of his relatives) had the medical emergency.

2) That one of his patients had the medical emergency

You really don't know which is the case, because the phrase "medical emergency" is not a completely specific one, so it is open to further explanation.

Answer 5

I would assume that he himself is ill, since it's Mr. (mister) Tomas instead of Dr. (Doctor).

Answer 6

It means that he or a member of his family is ill. He is not at work because he is dealing with it. He will not be in this afternoon. He should be back on the next working day.

Answer 7

That would be a personal emergency. He him self would be ill. If it was a patient it would be a professional emergency. If it was family they would say a family emergency.

Answer 8

It means he will give a medical emergency on others cause he s a doctor.

Answer 9

it means that he himself is ill

Answer 10

it could be either himself or a family member.

good luck with your studies.