We begin a few examples of English language elaboration tolerance. After discussing situation calculus formalisms, there will be a lot more. The boat is a rowboat. This elaboration by itself should not affect the reasoning. By default, a tool is usable.
Later elaborations make use of specific properties of rowboats.
There are four missionaries and four cannibals. The problem is now unsolvable. There is an oar on each bank. One person can cross in the boat with just one oar, but two oars are needed if the boat is to carry two people. One of the missionaries is Jesus Christ.