Questions tagged [ambiguity]
This tag is for questions about the multiple meanings of a word, or phrase.
294
questions
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4answers
40 views
Reducing ambiguity in a description that might apply to one or two nouns in a list
The state and local governments must take into account characteristics of family members and family types in coming up with the policies.
In the way it is expressed right now, there is no way to ...
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1answer
71 views
Does 'appear' have an object here? - 1932 US?
Source: Powell v Alabama (1932)
It thus will be seen that, until the very morning of the trial, no
lawyer had been named or definitely designated to represent
the defendants. Prior to that time,...
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1answer
327 views
avoid ambiguity of Too keen to
"I can be keen to do something, and i can be too keen. If I am too keen to do something, am i overly keen to do something, or so keen that i am not able to do something?"
Is it hopelessly ambiguous ...
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2answers
113 views
Ambiguous to-infinitive: “Obama rejects G20 pressure to abandon Syria air strike plan.”
Obama rejects G20 pressure to abandon Syria air strike plan.
I think this news headline is ambiguous because the infinitive clause could attach to either G20's pressure as its complement(?), or to ...
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2answers
25 views
Difference in meaning : [duplicate]
These are a defining and a non-defining relative clause :-
(A) He deleted the picture that upset me.
(B) He deleted the
picture, which upset me.
Could you please explain the difference ...
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1answer
19 views
Possible ambiguity in “In addition to the 3 main reasons, there is a 4th reason that has not been widely cited”
I am wondering if my sentence is ambiguous.
In addition to the three main arguments, there is a fourth argument that, although important, has not been widely cited.
The "three main arguments" are ...
0
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2answers
42 views
What does this sentence mean? “there are few who would not…”
This is a sentence taken from a textbook on translation:
(Original sentence) Aside from abnormally lazy people, there would be very few who would not want to earn more than the minimum.
The ...
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1answer
46 views
How to differentiate between a singular noun’s possession and its plural one in spoken English
In spoken English if for example:
someone says “cars tires” then how to know if the speaker is talking about car’s tires or cars’ tires. Because the pronunciation is same for both.
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2answers
51 views
“Prior to the 1980s” does it include the 1980s or not?
High pollution was observed prior to the 1980s.
Which period does 'Prior to the 1980s' refer to, 1)include, 2)partially include, 3)exclude the period of the 1980s?
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1answer
48 views
He is getting to be a naughty boy
When "get" is followed by an infinitive, it means "manage" or "have an opportunity".
He is getting to be a naughty boy.
It means "he manages to be a naughty boy" or "he has an opportunity to be ...
0
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1answer
19 views
“is written” (single or habitual action, tense choice)
Let's consider the sentence containing the phrase "is written":
How this word is written?
Does this phrase mean
Single action: a concrete situation, how the word was written once by someone?
...
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1answer
37 views
What does the word “them” signify here?
Here is a sentence from a schedule planner app:
In the app, you can easily group to-dos into projects and drag tasks within
and between them.
I am not sure if the word "them" is used here for "...
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2answers
50 views
How to reference previously mentioned words without ambiguity?
There are TV programmes produced by the Ministry of Education for high school students, and (1) they \ students can attend (2) these lectures remotely without traveling to schools.
Assuming you are a ...
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2answers
133 views
Doesn't “must” cause ambiguity since it has two meanings
First, let me give you two examples:
She has a difficult job. She must work hard.
She has a very difficult life. She must be patient.
Since "must" can also be used for meaning "most likely" ...
0
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2answers
73 views
gave them each a phone and a computer
a. I gave a phone and a computer to my two best students.
b. I gave them a phone and a computer.
c. I gave a phone and a computer to both of them.
d. I gave them both a phone and a computer.
Can ...
0
votes
2answers
60 views
How to remove ambiguity in “You must purchase A that optionally includes B, C, and D.”?
The following sentence, in my opinion, is ambiguous.
You must purchase A that optionally includes B, C, and D.
The meaning can be one of the following.
You must purchase A, C, and D. A ...
0
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2answers
27k views
How to interpret the sentence - “A Mother beats up her daughter because she was drunk”? [closed]
"A Mother beats up her daughter because she was drunk"
So, who was drunk?
Mother, or
Daughter?
Please tell me how to interpret the sentence. Also, If the mother was drunk how would I write a ...
0
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1answer
59 views
Default meaning of “Korean” (without North/South)
A user sent me an e-mail stating that he/she is Korean, without further details about which Korea. In English, is it the default that Korean means from South Korea? Is it always the case?
For extra ...
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1answer
26 views
How does this use of “and” differentiate between objects and their properties? [duplicate]
what is the meaning of this sentence:
"Gold and silver ornaments are precious."
Does it mean that: 'ornaments made of gold and ornaments made of silver are precious'
I mean does it refer to two ...
0
votes
3answers
209 views
same content, different meaning? (with + subject + adjective (participle)" construction)
Other studies, including in the United States, have shown this same
pattern, with girls who begin developing earlier than their peers
vulnerable to depression in adolescence.
Without context, are ...
0
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1answer
181 views
I don't remember me having a problem at home. what does this imply?
Here's the sentence that I get mixed up.
Q: Tell me about a problem you had at home.
A: I don't remember me having a problem at home.
I'd like to know what it implies.
a. I had a problem at home, ...
0
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1answer
315 views
Ambiguous use of modal verb 'would'?
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shall_and_will#As_past_of_shall_and_will
♦ He left Bath in 1890, and would never return. ♦ (in fact he never returned after that)
Seeing as this sentence is ...
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1answer
83 views
Why is this choice for a definition of a “civil society” the least controversial one? [closed]
Passage: p 154, Mastering the National Admissions Test for Law by Mark Shepherd
= Consider only 'The civil society puzzle' & only the 1st para under 'Civil society – gaining some clarity'.
...
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1answer
35 views
Which can be gathered most likely to be encountered? - Test 3, Q25, by Mark Shepherd [closed]
From Mastering the National Admissions Test for Law by Mark Shepherd, page 144, last para:
...Second is the idea that the experience of long- term unemployment may be less stigmatising,
and hence ...
0
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1answer
66 views
Which most closely reflects the author’s view of the strategic plan? - Test 3, Q11, p 137, by Mark Shepherd
The following only involves certain paragraphs here: everything under the heading The Challenge (but nothing aout the picture) and the first two paragraphs under The Enterprise. See question 11 here.
...
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3answers
197 views
What does the phrase “minimum of introspection or self-analysis” mean in this sentence?
"These situations are best resolved with the minimum of introspection or self-analysis."
This is where I found it: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/introspection
Does it ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
an article he wrote
a. He showed me an article which he wrote last night and which was about whales.
Could 'last night' modify 'showed'?
Could the sentence mean:
Last night he showed me an article which he wrote and ...
0
votes
1answer
74 views
were “the cylindrical wooden fastenings” horizontal or vertical?what does “wrenching asunder” mean?
were "the cylindrical wooden fastenings" horizontal or vertical? how can i imagine it?
what does "wrenching asunder" mean?
(...)The parts broken were at least five feet removed ...
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2answers
40 views
Does “it is true” and “is quite customary” refer to “explanation”?
Does "it is true" and "is quite customary" refer to "explanation"?
and what does it mean? does it mean the "explanation" is both "true" and "...
0
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1answer
12 views
when he was fouled
a. It wasn't only Tom who was furious when he was fouled. I was too.
b. Tom wasn't the only one who was furious when he was fouled. I was too.
Could those be used if the intended meaning is
Tom was ...
0
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1answer
42 views
When using “until”, is the time mentioned inclusive or exclusive? [duplicate]
Examples:
"I'm going to study until 8PM" Is he going to stop studying at 8PM sharp or 8:01PM?
"I'm not going to study until 8PM" Is he going to start studying at 8PM sharp or 8:01PM?
"I'm working ...
0
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1answer
28 views
what is the meaning of “assert their claims to be considered sane” and “reduced to the limits of ruin”?
what is the meaning of "assert their claims to be considered sane" and "reduced to the limits of ruin"?
This has been a long but necessary digression from the account of the
early days of ...
0
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1answer
36 views
what is the meaning of “lie upon the table” here? does “the belief held by the petitioners” means “the petitioners believed that it was a delusion”?
what is the meaning of "lie upon the table" here? does "the belief held by the petitioners" means "the petitioners believed that it was a delusion"?
In April, 1854, the Hon. James Shields presented ...
0
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1answer
235 views
on both sides/on the two sides
a. The conflict claimed about two hundred lives on all sides.
b. The conflict claimed about two hundred lives on the three sides.
Do those mean
all in all there were two hundred lives lost
or
...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
What is the meaning of “to work part time and summers”?
I want to know the exact meaning of "to work part time and summers".
Does this mean someone works part time through the year and works full time in summer? Or does this mean he works part-time only in ...
0
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1answer
33 views
Most likely interpretation of parents' “anniversary”?
When someone says it's their parents' anniversary, does "anniversary" by default mean wedding anniversary, or do English speakers by default consider "anniversary" vague, requiring clarification like ...
0
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1answer
118 views
she was happy to see her mother
a. She was happy to see her mother.
Does this mean
a1. She was happy when she saw her mother.
a2. She was happy that she'd seen her mother.
a3. She was happy that she was going to see her mother.
...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
usage of “his certainty” [closed]
Jacob's long absence intensified his certainty that he should marry Rose.
I think there is an ambiguity. For my opinion the expression "his certainty" spoiling the logic. If I'm wrong could you ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
constraints on “anything but”
Are these examples are all acceptable and illustrative of the same use of anything but? What constraints, if any, are at work?
He looked anything but happy.
He did anything but watch TV. (= ? ...
0
votes
3answers
73 views
How should an amphibian answer “Do you live in water”? [closed]
As commonly known, amphibians live both in water and on land. Then how should we answer to a YES-NO question that only accepts a boolean answer such as "Does it live in water?" when we are referring ...
0
votes
1answer
224 views
ran all over the hill
a. The deer ran over the hill.
b. The deer moved over the hill.
c. The deer went over the hill.
Can we tell if the deer crossed the hill or if ran/walked about on the hill?
========================...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
ambiguity- one or more purchases?
If I have bought two products in a single online transaction, have I made one or two purchases?
I'd appreciate your help.
0
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1answer
17 views
Interpretation ambiguity
While reading the article, I am quite confused about the part bolded "whether fallen or not".
I believe there might be two possible answers:
1: I did not stop to think whether the whirring cicadas ...
0
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1answer
21 views
a high turnover (rate)
The word turnover at least has two meanings in the dictionary. Without context, is the following sentence ambiguous?
The company has a high turnover.
Supposing it's ambiguous, if the word rate is ...
0
votes
2answers
67 views
Degree of horror for several verbs
Could someone please sort the level of each of these verbs in the degree of horror?
appal, dismay, horrify, shock, startle
0
votes
1answer
34 views
thinking about a robot for/to
Are these sentences correct:
1) I am thinking about a car for driving to work.
2) I am thinking about a car to drive to work in.
3) I am thinking about a robot for cleaning the house.
4) I am ...
0
votes
1answer
109 views
Does this sentence make it seem like my grandparents are part of Porbandar?
I have to make the following sentence less ambiguous
I stay with my family in a small house in Porbandar which includes my grandparents.
My attempt is:
I stay with my family which includes my ...
0
votes
1answer
386 views
Question about Harvey's quote
"Nothing that happens on the surface of the sea can alter the calm of its depths"
Whenever I see this quote,I always enter into an ambiguity, I tend to interpret that quote with two different ...
0
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1answer
545 views
Distinguishing between although and while
What are some circumstances in which "although" and "while" are semantically interchangeable? When are they not?
0
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1answer
40 views
Understanding the CC-BY-ND summary
In the CC-BY-ND human readable summary, there is the sentence
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license , and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any ...
