# Expressing “uncountable” in $L_{\omega_1\omega}$

Given a countable signature $\tau$ I'm trying to find a uncountable $\tau$-Structure $\mathfrak{A}$ which does not satisfy the same infinitary logic $L_{\omega_1\omega}$-sentences as a countable $\tau$-structure $\mathfrak{B}$. This is basically a weaker version of the Exercise 1.7. My guess is to try to construct a power set construction with the help of a countable signature. Is this a good approach? Any other ideas?

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## 1 Answer

HINT: Try giving $\mathscr{L}$ constant symbols $a_n$ for $n\in\omega$ and a binary relation symbol $E$, and for each $A\subseteq\omega$ letting $\varphi_A$ be

$$\exists x\left(\bigwedge_{n\in A}E(a_n,x)\land\bigwedge_{n\in\omega\setminus A}\neg E(a_n,x)\right)\;.$$

You’ll also want $a_m\ne a_n$ for $m,n\in\omega$ with $m\ne n$.

(And yes, your approach is entirely reasonable.)

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 Drats. I was gonna give this exact example! :-) – Asaf Karagila Jan 13 at 19:29 @Asaf: It is the first one that comes to mind, isn’t it? (I don’t beat you to it very often on questions like this!) – Brian M. Scott Jan 13 at 19:31 I was absent minded after writing a long email, so it took me a few minutes to zero in on this example. But indeed it is the first that comes to mind. – Asaf Karagila Jan 13 at 19:32