Ambiguous sentences, whether spoken or written, are frustrating in any language. Surprisingly, this issue is more widespread than you might realize, affecting many of us in our daily communication. What exactly is an ambiguous sentence? How can you avoid this common mistake?
Learn more about ambiguous sentence examples and causes and how to clarify them!
Causes of Sentence Ambiguity, Examples, and How to Rewrite Them
An ambiguous sentence is generally characterized by confusion, as the receiver will likely interpret it differently. It’s a common issue in the English language, often arising from the multiple meanings of individual words.
Therefore, to effectively prevent ambiguity, it’s crucial to understand its root causes. Let’s examine the primary sources of sentence ambiguity.
1. Word-Level Ambiguity
A word’s multiple possible meanings create word-level ambiguity or lexical ambiguity. For example
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“I went to the bank yesterday” |
This sentence is ambiguous because “bank” can refer to either a financial institution or the side of a river.
To clarify the meaning, you can rewrite the sentence as follows:
- “I went to the bank yesterday because I lost my credit card.” → This indicates that “bank” refers to a financial institution where you can report a lost credit card.
- “I went to the river bank yesterday to have a picnic.” → This indicates that “bank” refers to the side of a river where people can enjoy a picnic.
Additionally, ambiguity can arise from words that sound similar even though they have different meanings and spellings; these are called homophones.
Here’s an example:
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“I need some flour for tonight’s event.” |
The word “flour” sounds the same as “flower,” which can confuse verbal communication. Here’s how to clarify them:
- “I need some flour for the cake for tonight’s event.” → This indicates that “flour” refers to the baking ingredient.
- “I need some flowers to decorate tonight’s event.” → This indicates that “flower” refers to the plant used for decoration.
2. Phrase-Level Ambiguity
A phrase can be ambiguous when it allows for several possible meanings. For example:
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“The island tour is exclusive for old women and men.“ |
Is the tour intended for both old women and old men or is it intended for old men and all women regardless of age?
To clarify the sentence, you can rewrite it as:
- “The island tour is exclusive for elderly people, both women and men.” → this indicates that both women and men must be old.
- “The island tour is exclusive for old women and all men.” → This indicates that the tour is for old women and men of any age.
3. Sentence-Level Ambiguity
Sentence-level ambiguity happens when an entire sentence has multiple potential meanings, making its interpretation unclear.
For example:
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“Flying planes can be dangerous.” |
The sentence is ambiguous because it could refer to the risk involved in operating a plane or the danger of being a passenger.
To minimize misunderstanding, you can rewrite them as:
- “Flying in planes can be dangerous” → This indicates that the experience of being a passenger on a plane may be dangerous.
- “Operating planes can be dangerous” → This specifies that the act of piloting or controlling planes can be risky.
4. Syntax Ambiguity
Syntax ambiguity, or syntactic ambiguity, can result from incorrect or unclear grammatical arrangements. For example:
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“He fed her cat biscuits.” |
The sentence above can indicate that he fed her cat some biscuits, or he fed her some cat biscuits. This is how to clarify them:
- “He fed biscuits to her cat.” → This indicates that he gave biscuits to her cat.
- “He gave her some cat biscuits.” → This indicates that he gave her some biscuits meant for cats.
How to Identify and Avoid Sentence Ambiguity?
The key to avoiding ambiguity is continuous learning and becoming familiar with sentence structures. That’s where Fun English Course comes in.
At Fun English Course, we offer a variety of engaging programs designed to sharpen your English skills at any level. Plus, our exam preparation programs are tailored to boost your scores and ensure you excel in any test. For more information about Exam Preparation, contact us here.
So, don’t let ambiguous sentences hold you back. Join us at Fun English Course and master the art of clear communication today!