Abstract:Based on the theory of conceptual polarity and information structure, this paper reveals the interactive relationship between the information structure characteristics of " huaiyi(怀疑)" sentences and the sense distribution of " huaiyi", together with its meaning construal.Firstly, by using interrogative pronouns to ask questions and adding synonymic components, this paper points out and verifies that the information structure characteristics of " huaiyi" sentences can often influence and restrict the sense distribution of " huaiyi", which is manifested as, " huaiyi ₁" matched with the definite and highly accessible object (old information), which can be asked with " shenme(什么)" or "shui(谁)" and then add synonymic components; However, " huaiyi ₂" matched with the unknown, declarative possible state(new information), which can only be asked with " zenmeyang(怎么样)", and no synonymic component can be added afterwards.The paper also points out that this information structure characteristics of " huaiyi" sentences often restrict and urge the hearer to adopt the principle of "to disbelieve the real and to believe the void" to understand the two different meanings of " huaiyi".This conventional pragmatic principle, which is based on conceptual polarity, has a remarkable effect on construing the meaning of " huaiyi".In addition, from the perspective of information structure and the principle of "to disbelieve the real and to believe the void", it can better explain a series of related phenomena such as the English-Chinese translation of " huaiyi" sentences and the difficult problems existing in previous studies.