Examples of ambiguous sentences. Example sentences with the word ambiguous.

Examples of ambiguous sentences. The best I have found so far is " 私はあくまで執事ですから ". May 21, 2021 · 'Ambiguity' in a sentence: To clear up any ambiguity, Claire and Owen have a steamy kiss at the top of the film. Ambiguity is a word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning. Ambiguity is important to logic and to careful thinking more generally because if a sentence is ambiguous, it affects our ability to evaluate its truth-value. Example sentences with the word ambiguous. Ambiguous Pronoun Reference A pronoun with multiple, possible antecedents. This module deals with Ambiguity, a major component in Semantics, one of the four significant wings of Linguistics. Headlines can be ambiguous by accident, creating funny or confusing situations for readers. Vague Pronoun Reference A pronoun without a specific antecedent. In this sentence, we don’t know whether “baseball players” refers to the collective set (all baseball players taken together) or to some smaller subset of baseball players. For example, in the following sentence the word bank could mean the edge of a river, or a financial institution: 9. How to use ambiguous in a sentence Looking for sentences and phrases with the word ambiguous? Here are some examples. A1. , “ambidextrous Feb 17, 2021 · An ambiguity example shows something that may not be easily understood. Sep 3, 2024 · Ambiguity happens when a sentence has more than one possible meaning at the same time. Syntactic ambiguity, also known as structural ambiguity, is when a sentence can be interpreted in two (or more) ways due to the structure of the sentence. g. How to use ambiguous in a sentence. Definition of Ambiguity Ambiguity occurs when something is open to more than one interpretation. Explore the nuances of ambiguity in communication, literature, and art. Ambiguity, or fallacy of ambiguity, is a word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning. 4 Structural Ambiguity Note: This is adapted from Section 6. See 18 examples of ambiguous situations, statements, and words, and how to avoid or use them effectively. Every dog barks. Understand the concept clearly with examples from life and titles from literature. Ambiguity is a word or statement that has more than one meaning. Real‑world examples, types of ambiguity, and practical tools for clear communication. , disambiguated, by the end of the speech. (Bambi is a little dear. What is an example sentence from a movie or tv show of lexical ambiguity? What is an example sentence from a movie or tv show of syntactic ambiguity? Discuss the different ways that this message can be interpreted. Ambiguity can be intentional or unintentional, leading to a sense of mystery or confusion for the reader. ” Definition of Ambiguity May 6, 2025 · In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. It allows room for doubt and complexity, as well as moments of double entendre and humor. Apr 19, 2023 · Ambiguity is a powerful tool used by writers to add depth and complexity to their work. Mar 5, 2024 · Ambiguity occurs when a word, phrase, or sentence can be interpreted in more than one way. Lexical ambiguity refers to a situation where a word or phrase has multiple meanings, leading to confusion or misunderstanding. Sep 18, 2019 · Syntactic ambiguity is the presence of two or more possible meanings within a single sentence or sequence of words. Ambiguous sentences can be both fascinating and frustrating. The document’s ambiguous wording makes it very difficult to follow. They progress from basic exercises to more complex tasks, ensuring students build a strong foundation in recognizing and deciphering ambiguity. Explore 30 examples of ambiguous phrases, sentences, and scenarios that show how meaning can vary depending on context and interpretation. 80 9. As a researcher, I feel it is my job to solve every ambiguity presented to me. It refer… Apr 29, 2023 · Ambiguity serves a function in language as it tends to make speech and writing more brief, entertaining, humorous and colorful. Ambiguous Syntax: The arrangement or structure of words or phrases in a sentence can create ambiguity by allowing for multiple ways of parsing or understanding the sentence. For example, the word "bank" can refer to a financial institution or the side of a river. Examples of what I'm after are sentences which are difficult to determine the word boundaries, pronunciation or part of speech. 1 Ambiguity In Chapter 8, as we learned to draw tree diagrams to illustrate how sentences are represented in the human mind, we thought about Deep Structure as the place where meaning is assigned and calculated. The same thing is found in syntax. In linguistic terms, ambiguity refers to a situation where a word, phrase, or sentence has more than one interpretation, making it unclear or open to various understandings. Nov 21, 2023 · Ambiguous Words Ambiguous words are words that have more than one meaning. 17 When we talked about morphology, we saw a first example of structural ambiguity in Section 5. Sometimes, local ambiguities can result in "garden path" sentences, in which a structurally correct sentence is difficult to interpret because one Ambiguity (am-big-YOU-ih-tee) refers to the quality of being open to multiple interpretations. The poem’s ambiguity made it difficult for me to understand the author’s viewpoint. 1. This is often due to a modifying expression, such as a prepositional phrase, the application of which is unclear. Lexical Ambiguities Prostitutes appeal to Pope Queen Mary has bottom scraped Police These are examples of category ambiguity (word can be N or V-aN-bN). Jun 28, 2021 · Characteristics of Ambiguous Sentences The following are some of the characteristics of ambiguous sentences, consisting of: There are words that have more than one meaning. Jul 14, 2021 · Learn about the concept of ambiguous sentences so you can avoid using ambiguity in writing. At times, ambiguity is reliant on context; something can be ambiguous in one situation while unambiguous in another. It also explores the various types and provides suggestions for avoiding ambiguity in unintentional scenarios. Mar 1, 2024 · Semantic ambiguity, in linguistic theory, refers to phenomenon where a word, phrase, or sentence possesses multiple potential interpretations. Here are three examples of ambiguity in literature: Jul 7, 2021 · What do you need to know about ambiguous pronouns for ACT English? Magoosh's experts explain how to find and fix an ambiguous pronoun! Definition of Ambiguity something that does not have a clear meaning Examples of Ambiguity in a sentence Although Hank wants to sign the contract, he needs to understand the ambiguity of some of the language first. There could be more than one meaning. In literature, ambiguity may occur with a character, word or phrase, plot point, image, trope, or situation that can be understood in two or more possible ways. ” It is not a verb. ) The first one has been done for you. On the other How to use Ambiguity in a sentence? Review 30 sentence examples with Ambiguity to better understand the usage of Ambiguity in context. Mar 4, 2024 · Ambiguity in language occurs when a sentence or phrase can be interpreted in more than one way. He left a very ambiguous message on the answerphone last night. When the contexts are merged, the logic becomes fallacious. How and When to Use Vague in Sentence Vague These real newspaper headlines – gathered from local, national, and international newspapers across the globe – are ambiguous; you can see what the journalist meant to say, but in each case there is a more amusing interpretation of the headline. There are at least two potential locations that the PP with the telescope could be adjoined. Use brackets on two copies of each headline to demonstrate the structural cause of the ambiguity. Learn how to use "ambiguous" in a sentence with 109 example sentences on YourDictionary. Here are ambiguous sentence examples and how to clarify them! Jul 13, 2025 · The seven types of ambiguity represent different ways that words, phrases, and sentences can have multiple meanings. It can arise from vague wording, confusing sentence structures, or the use of words with multiple definitions. A similar ambiguity is in place here for “football players. For each example write the sentence with the other meaning. Have you ever read a sentence that left you scratching your head, unsure of its meaning? Ambiguity in language often leads to confusion, but it also sparks curiosity. Lexical ambiguity, also known as semantic ambiguity, can make your sentences confusing to readers. Have you ever found yourself puzzled by a statement that could mean more than one thing? Understanding the types of ambiguity is crucial for effective communication, whether you’re writing, speaking, or even interpreting messages. If there is more than one possible meaning then the sentence is syntactically ambiguous. Context Dependency: The intended meaning of ambiguous language may heavily rely on the specific context in which it is used. . Consider the following example: Read our complete notes on the definition and usage of Ambiguity, as well as examples of Ambiguity from English literature. Syntactic ambiguity occurs when a sentence can be interpreted in more than one way due to its structure or arrangement of words. In this article, we will explore the concept of ambiguity in sentences by providing various examples that demonstrate how different interpretations can […] In some sentences, ambiguity arises from the possibility of more than one grammatical syntactic representation for the sentence. Take environmental, historical, and cultural factors into account. Here are some examples and observations. Unlike semantic ambiguity, which revolves around meaning, syntactic ambiguity hinges on the arrangement or sequence of words in a sentence. 2. Feb 15, 2025 · Learn what ambiguity is and how it can appear in language, situations, and art. Identifying ambiguous phrases is crucial in ensuring effective communication and preventing any potential misinterpretations. 'Ambiguous' in a sentence: We were confused by the ambiguous wording of the message. I wish my professor's instructions were less ambiguous so that I could better understand them. Definition, Usage and a list of Ambiguity Examples in common speech and literature. It occurs when a word, phrase, or statement has more than one meaning, and it’s not clear which one is being used. How to use Ambiguous in a sentence:- Sentence examples of Ambiguous, Ambiguity and Ambiguously. However, the verb form of ambiguity is “to ambiguous,” which means to make something unclear or open to multiple interpretations. These are good examples: I saw the man with the binoculars – Did I have the binoculars or did he? Explore the ambiguity fallacy in language, its impact on communication, and strategies to enhance clarity in discussions and debates. With an ambiguous plot, no one could understand the film's premise. However, sometimes ambiguity is used deliberately to add humor to a text. Read to find out the examples and types of ambiguity in linguistics: Jun 10, 2024 · What is the definition of ambiguity? Ambiguity occurs when a statement or idea has more than one possible meaning, leading to uncertainty and confusion. Discover examples of ambiguity in language, from humorous phrases to literary interpretations, and learn how context shapes communication and understanding. Ambiguity can arise due to factors… Read More »AMBIGUOUS in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Each parse corresponds to a different meaning. Avoiding Vague and Ambiguous Pronoun References VOCABULARY Antecedent The noun which a pronoun substitutes for or refers to. I went to the bank. Learn what ambiguity is, how it can create confusion, and how to spot and avoid it. Check out some useful examples of vague statements. 9: cases where the same string of morphemes can have more than one structure, with each structure corresponding to a different interpretation. Learn how to identify and correct them with clear examples, then test your knowledge with a quiz. Dec 9, 2013 · A classic example of lexical ambiguity involves the word (s) bank. Flying planes can be dangerous. Apr 6, 2023 · Ambiguity in Grammar Ut is a noun with its plural form “ambiguities. [5] The ambiguity in a locally ambiguous sentence briefly stays and is resolved, i. Explore the concept of ambiguity in communication, with examples illustrating how context shapes meaning and prevents misunderstandings in everyday language. Nov 2, 2024 · Understand the definition and causes of ambiguous sentences in English. By incorporating… Read More »AMBIGUITY in a Sentence Sep 12, 2023 · What is syntactic ambiguity? The word syntax refers to how words are arranged in a sentence. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion or miscommunication between the speaker and the listener. Ambiguous Phrase: Bark This quintessential equivocation fallacy is one that every professor uses to teach their students. )) A locally ambiguous sentence is a sentence that contains an ambiguous phrase but has only one interpretation. Engaging Activities: Each worksheet incorporates fun and interactive activities, including analyzing real-world examples, rewriting ambiguous sentences, and engaging in discussions. Click for Ambiguity worksheets and facts in PDF format! See how Ambiguous is used in real-life sentence examples with natural context. In this article, we will explore several examples of ambiguous sentences to help you recognize and […] Have you ever encountered a sentence that left you feeling unsure or puzzled about its meaning? Welcome to the world of ambiguity. List of linguistic example sentences The following is a partial list of linguistic example sentences illustrating various linguistic phenomena. Lexical Ambiguity vs. Sep 28, 2023 · Equivocation Fallacy Examples 1. Ambiguity is possible in literature, ideas, statements, arts, music, and math. This ambiguity can arise from various linguistic factors such as homophones, homonyms, vagueness, or syntactic structures. Can raise doubts for people who want to interpret the phrase. Explore ambiguous sentences in this article, uncovering their multiple meanings, types of ambiguity, and the importance of context for clear communication. Think of ambiguity as language’s way of being sneaky – it gives you information that can be interpreted in more than one way. Oct 10, 2024 · Using these ambiguity examples learn how to make your writing irresistible and strategically engage your readers. “Ambi-” is a Latin prefix meaning “both” that is used in various English words to indicate duality (e. Jul 17, 2017 · Ambiguity means when a term, statement, or resolution is not clearly defined, leaving room for several reasonable interpretations. It can be challenging for readers to decipher the meaning behind ambiguous phrases or passages, but it also allows for multiple interpretations and leaves room for personal reflection. For example, “The author’s use of language ambiguous the meaning of the sentence. Aug 15, 2014 · Young Girls Wanted for Pickling and Bottling Basically, syntactic ambiguity demonstrates a confusion in the meaning of a sentence. Sentence 1 is ambiguous because the word bank can mean either a type of financial institution or an area of land next to a river. The movie’s ending is ambiguous. The last part of his letter was deliberately ambiguous. Always focus on the learning on sentences with ambiguous We believe you will easily learn to write and use the word ambiguous in a sentence. Rewrite this message or a portion of the message to reduce the ambiguity. Typically, it is best to avoid ambiguity in your writing. Ambiguous Definition and Meaning with Examples Ambiguous (adjective) means vague or unclear. If a phrase is ambiguous that means that there is not one clear meaning. The following examples are phonologically ambiguous when read aloud. Ambiguity is when something is unclear or open to interpretation. There are many types of ambiguity. (These all involve homophonous words; they are pronounced the same but spelled differently. The following are common types of ambiguous language. Nov 21, 2023 · Master the concept of ambiguous pronouns with our 5-minute video. ' etc Definition of Ambiguous confusing; difficult to understand Examples of Ambiguous in a sentence Ambiguous classroom rules like 'Be responsible. Whether you're a student, a professional writer, or just a language lover, this guide Apr 30, 2025 · Lexical ambiguity is the presence of two or more possible meanings for a single word. Oct 29, 2024 · Explore the concept of ambiguity, its usage in everyday conversations and literature, and see examples that showcase its impact on sentence meaning. Sentences and words that are ambiguous have more than one possible meaning. Oct 6, 2023 · Learn what lexical ambiguity is and how you can avoid it in your writing. Sentences with AMBIGUOUS Check out our example sentences below to help you understand the context. Ambiguity surrounds us in everyday language and can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. This ambiguity is an example of scope ambiguity, a phenomenon widely studied in formal semantics. For example, consider the short phrase, “I read the book. For example, in a question sentence like, “ What are the kids eating for lunch? ”, we claim that the word what is related to the verb eating in the same way that eggs and eating A very common source of ambiguity is structural: There may be more than one syntactic parse (structure) for a sentence. If a word is in isolation, or if the sentence cannot clarify the ambiguity, that word remains ambiguous. See 20 example sentences for the word 'AMBIGUITY' such as 'The newspaper article was written with intentional ambiguity to encourage readers to form their own opinions. Another example of an ambiguity fallacy is when someone argues for one thing and then switches to arguing for something else without acknowledging the change in meaning Ambiguity Fallacy Real-Life Examples Ambiguity Fallacy in Real Life: If a sentence is ambiguous, it can have more than one meaning. Discover how context shapes meaning and inspires creativity while revealing potential misunderstandings. Structural ambiguity results when an utterance might have more than one grammatical structure. Sep 28, 2023 · Learn what ambiguity is and how it can arise from language, context, or intent. Have you ever encountered a sentence that left you puzzled about its meaning or intention? This type of sentence often contains ambiguity, a literary device that allows for multiple interpretations and adds depth to the writing. Nov 5, 2023 · Syntactic ambiguity, also known as structural ambiguity, surfaces when a sentence’s structure allows for more than one interpretation. Examples of ambiguity often come from jokes, puns, or language that can be understood in different ways. For example: Soviet virgin lands short of goal again You can easily memorize the word and the meaning of ambiguous and This is a fast way of learning the meaning of ambiguous with example sentences. This can confuse the reader and make the meaning of the sentence unclear. Also other parameters which causes ambiguity, its types, the purpose of Ambiguity, when and how to avoid ambiguity, its advantages etc…, will be discussed in the module to enhance the holistic understanding of the concept. Learn how to use "ambiguity" in a sentence with 81 example sentences on YourDictionary. Mar 5, 2024 · Ambiguous sentences are those which can be interpreted in more than one way, leading to confusion or misunderstanding. ” This sentence alone could refer to the This article sheds light on ambiguity in language and literature with suitable examples. This extends from ambiguous sentences (which could mean one thing or another). These sentences often lack clarity or specific details, making it difficult for the reader or listener to understand the intended meaning. Take the word “light,” which can mean not heavy or not dark. In most cases the problem is an ambiguous word; in the second group, however, the reference is ambiguous because of two possible predicate-argument structures. Because his driving directions AMBIGUITY sentences | Collins English SentencesThese examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins. De re/de dicto ambiguity is another notable example of sentence-level ambiguity which has received much attention in linguistics and philosophy. Structural Ambiguity What's the Difference? Lexical ambiguity and structural ambiguity are two types of ambiguity commonly found in language. ” Identify the Amiguity For each of the following sentences, list as many possible interpretations as An example of ambiguity is that the word “bank” can mean a financial institution or a river’s edge. This can lead to confusion as the same set of words may convey different meanings based on how they are grouped or connected, highlighting the importance of sentence patterns and clause types in conveying clear communication. Today, I’ll walk you through what “ambiguous” really means, why it's so important in English, and how to spot and use it like a pro. Ambiguity is an idea or situation that can be understood in more than one way. How to use ambiguity in a sentence Looking for sentences and phrases with the word ambiguity? Here are some examples. Some examples of sentences using ambiguous: It is an ambiguous question. AMBIGUOUS sentences | Collins English SentencesThese examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins. More specifically, if a sentence is ambiguous, then there are at least two distinct meanings that can be attributed to it, and these two meanings represent different statements. Clear definition and great examples of Ambiguity. Read each of the following sentences carefully and decide the two ways in which the phrase structure may be interpreted in order to provide the two ambiguous interpretations. ' deprive students of what the rule specifically requires. Ambiguity ExamplesAmbiguity is when the meaning of a word, phrase, or sentence is uncertain. For example, in a question sentence like, “ What are the kids eating for lunch? ”, we claim that the word what is related to the verb eating in the same way that eggs and Syntactic ambiguity arises when a sentence can have two (or more) different meanings because of the structure of the sentence—its syntax. In the first instance Definition of the Fallacy of Ambiguity Think of the fallacy of ambiguity as a mix-up that happens when something isn’t explained well enough. Semantically Ambiguous Headlines Read through the following headlines taken from actual newspapers and determine the cause of the semantic ambiguity. Here, the term ‘bark’ is being used in two separate contexts. Think about this example: Hilary saw the pirate with the telescope. Therefore, a dog is a tree. There are also many examples of ambiguity in film, poetry, and even news media. Oct 9, 2021 · Discover the meaning of ambiguity in writing, see examples from literature, and learn how you can be more precise with your words. However, ambiguity can also have negative impacts as it can lead to misinterpretations. Has a confusing nature and is not easily understood by others. Ambiguous words or statements lead to vagueness and confusion, and shape the basis for instances of unintentional humor. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. e. The lawyer Anything that is said to be ambiguous is open to more than one interpretation. He liked to keep the story of his life ambiguous. A Dog is a Tree? Scenario: All trees have bark. Bambi is a little deer. If someone says “light can pass through this curtain,” you have to Nov 21, 2023 · Lexical ambiguity identifies cases where a word can indicate various alternative meanings, and therefore a sentence that uses that word might be confusing because people aren't sure which way to Oct 7, 2025 · Hey friends! Ever come across a sentence that leaves you scratching your head because it could mean more than one thing? That's the magic—or confusion—of ambiguity. Preferably, examples would be a more correct interpretation, and be something that could be seen in actual use. Nov 21, 2023 · Examples of ambiguity include garden path sentences, lexical ambiguity, syntactic ambiguity, and literary ambiguity. The most voted sentence example for ambiguous is That which is soft and effeminate, Feb 15, 2024 · An ambiguous sentence has two or more possible meanings within a single sentence or sequence of words. When you make statements that are ambiguous, you confuse the reader and hinder the meaning of the text. In this article, you’ll explore the world of ambiguous sentences through real-life examples that showcase how a single phrase can convey multiple meanings. qguau cp9ghp eqzyu 5ujcx lt5se hs40d ujx bn7pu eslgw xf5ix