Ambiguity

Content

• Types of ambiguity
• Examples of polysemy ambiguity
• Examples of ambiguity due to grammatical errors (amphibology)
• Examples of syntactic ambiguity

A ambiguity occurs when a word or an expression allows two or more interpretations. All ambiguity depends on its context, that is, on the amount of information the receiver has about what is being talked about.

To achieve an understandable text, it is important to avoid ambiguity and provide contextual elements that do not lead to confusion.

Polysemic words are those that have more than one meaning, and therefore favor ambiguity if the context in which a sentence is said is not known.

• See also: Ambiguous nouns

Types of ambiguity

• Ambiguity due to polysemy. It occurs when a word has more than one meaning and it is not clear to which of all it refers. For example: He is a noble person. / It can refer to having a noble title or having the virtue of nobility.
• Ambiguity due to grammatical errors (amphibology). It occurs when it is not understood to which of the elements of a sentence a certain modifier refers. For example: When we put the painting on the table, it broke. / "broke" can refer to the box or the table.
• Syntactic ambiguity. In the syntax of a sentence, the same word can take the place of adjective or adverb, verb or noun, etc. If we do not know what function that word fulfills, we may not understand the meaning. For example: I change again. / It may be that the person returns to a place to change or changes twice.

Examples of polysemy ambiguity

1. This alliance cost more than I expected. / It can refer to a covenant or a wedding ring.
2. I found a pile of letters. / It can refer to cards, written papers with a sender and a recipient or a menu.
3. He is dedicated to making helmets. / It can be dedicated to manufacturing the protections used on the head or the front parts of the boats.
4. Fifty mules were passing through the borders. / It can refer to the animal or the smugglers.
5. To be part of the group, it is essential to show nobility. / It can refer to a noble title or a personality trait.
6. They met at the bank where they had met. / You can refer to a bank as a financial institution or as a place to sit in a park.
7. This looks great. It can mean that an object is useful for painting or that a situation looks good.

• More examples in: Polysemy

Examples of ambiguity due to grammatical errors (amphibology)

Examples of ambiguity are given below, with two possible ways to rephrase the sentence to avoid confusion.

1. I need a biodegradable laundry detergent.
   (a) I need a biodegradable detergent for my clothes.
   (b) I need a laundry detergent, which is biodegradable.
2. At the house I met the saleswoman, she seemed very bright.
   (a) I met the saleswoman at the house, who seemed very bright to me.
   (b) At the house I met the saleswoman, a very bright person.
3. We saw Juan walking.
   (a) When we were walking, we saw Juan.
   (b) We saw Juan, who was walking.
4. When the brick hit the wall, it broke.
   (a) The brick broke when it hit the wall.
   (b) The wall broke when the brick hit it.

Examples of syntactic ambiguity

Examples of ambiguity are given below, with two possible ways to rephrase the sentence to avoid confusion.

1. He chose a fast car.
   (a) He quickly chose a car.
   (b) He chose a car that was very fast.
2. Splendid singing.
   (a) I sing splendidly.
   (b) Splendid song.
3. Juan told Pablo that he could decide what he wanted.
   (a) Paul could decide what he wanted, just as John told him.
   (b) John could decide what he wanted, just as he told Paul.
4. The children chose cheerful toys.
   (a) The children happily chose toys.
   (b) The children chose toys that were very joyful.
5. I have seen again.
   (a) I regained my vision.
   (b) I went back to the place to see something.
6. They were not accepted into the club because of their prejudices.
   (a) They were not accepted into the club because they are very prejudiced people.
   (b) Due to prejudice, the members of the club did not accept the new applicants.
7. They are representatives of very talented artists.
   (a) They represent very talented artists.
   (b) They are very talented as representatives of artists.
8. Juan met Jorge to calm his concern.
   (a) Juan met Jorge, who was very worried, to calm him down.
   (b) Juan, who was very worried, met Jorge to calm down.
9. It is a popular music radio.
   (a) That music radio is very popular.
   (b) It is a radio that plays popular music.

• It can help you: Lexical vagueness