ambiguity

[navi]

Harry doesn't give money to charity because he is kind. Jane does.

Can't the first sentence have different meanings, depending on the context:
1-Harry does give money to charity, not because he is kind, but for some other reason (tax deduction, having a good image...).
2-Harry doesn't give money to charity at all but he is kind. His kindness is expressed in other ways. Jane does give money to charity out of kindness.
3-Harry doesn't give money to charity and he isn't kind. Jane gives money to charity and is kind.

[danmahaffey]

Harry doesn't give money to charity because he is kind. Jane does.

Can't the first sentence have different meanings, depending on the context:
1-Harry does give money to charity, not because he is kind, but for some other reason (tax deduction, having a good image...).
2-Harry doesn't give money to charity at all but he is kind. His kindness is expressed in other ways. Jane does give money to charity out of kindness.
3-Harry doesn't give money to charity and he isn't kind. Jane gives money to charity and is kind.
#1 is correct. Furthermore, we really don't know if Harry is kind at all.
#2 is not a good interpretation. Meaning #2 is better expressed in this sentence, "Harry doesn't give money to charity, yet he is kind."
#3 has no basis. Meaning #3 is better expressed in this sentence, "Harry doesn't give money to charity because he is an unkind man."

Here's a fourth interpretation: Harry doesn't give money to charity because he is kind, and therefore knows that charity is bad for people who need it.

[navi]

Thanks a lot Danmahaffey,

I quite agree with you that #1 is the likeliest interpretation. The fourth interpretation is also possible. It hadn't crossed my mind.

As for the other two, I don't think they are likely, but I am not sure they are impossible.
Consider these examples:
1-Unlike you, I didn't eat a huge piece of cake (just) because I was hungry. I prepared a good meal for myself. (I was hungry, but I didn't eat a huge piece of cake) The structure is the same as my first sentence.

2-You weren't threatened to death because you spoke your mind. I was. So don't presume that you know how I feel. (To me it seems that this could mean either "You didn't speak your mind and you weren't threatened to death." or "You spoke your mind but weren't threatened to death for it.")

[danmahaffey]

Thanks a lot Danmahaffey,

I quite agree with you that #1 is the likeliest interpretation. The fourth interpretation is also possible. It hadn't crossed my mind.

As for the other two, I don't think they are likely, but I am not sure they are impossible.
Consider these examples:
1-Unlike you, I didn't eat a huge piece of cake (just) because I was hungry. I prepared a good meal for myself. (I was hungry, but I didn't eat a huge piece of cake) The structure is the same as my first sentence.

2-You weren't threatened to death because you spoke your mind. I was. So don't presume that you know how I feel. (To me it seems that this could mean either "You didn't speak your mind and you weren't threatened to death." or "You spoke your mind but weren't threatened to death for it.")
I can understand your arguments in these two situations, and they add meaning to your original post.

Orig. 2. Harry doesn't give money to charity because he is kind. Harry gives his time, though. Jane on the other hand gives her money away.

Orig. 3. Harry doesn't give money to charity because he is kind. That would not be our Harry. Our Harry is mean and selfish. Jane, on the other hand, is kind enough to give money.

I agree with your interpretations. Thanks for helping me see.

[navi]

Oh, you don't have to thank me. I am the one who has to be grateful. I was the one who was confused in the first place and what's more, my examples weren't very good. These structures are difficult to handle out of context.

Cheers.