Questions tagged [ambiguity]
This tag is for questions about the multiple meanings of a word, or phrase.
323
questions
0
votes
3answers
116 views
Is “should be” talking about the past or the present or the future?
Not sure who’s working but this should be resolved.
Does that should be resolved part mean (1) that it has already been resolved in the past, or (2) that he is expecting or needing it to be resolved ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
any of the assignments
a. If you haven't done any of the assignments, I can give you extra time to do them.
Can this sentence mean two things?
If you have done none of the assignments, I can give you extra time to do them....
0
votes
0answers
317 views
Meaning of “He saved two people on two occasions”
a. He saved someone on four occasions.
Does that mean he saved the same person four times?
b. He saved two people twice.
c. He saved two people on two occasions.
In (b) and (c) did he save four ...
0
votes
0answers
351 views
ambiguity of “for”
I know "for" may have different meaning in different context.
I'll cook the dinner for you.
This sentence can be understood as
1) I'll cook the dinner for you to enjoy it. "you" is the ...
0
votes
0answers
113 views
are there two meaning?
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
votes
1answer
41 views
Conflicting feedback on my paraphrase: “on the grounds that X should be shared with Y” = “so that X [would/could] be shared with Y”
This is not a question about the meaning of "could" and "would". This is a question about which word fits the context.
I got conflicting remarks on my paraphrase of a few sentences. I am not sure ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Confusion in pronoun
What is the best way to avoid confusion of pronouns?
For example, see the following sentence:
When Anne’s grandmother died she lit an extra candle for her on her birthday.
Here it is very ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
It position in sentence
How to recognize which subject or object "it" is referring to in the following sentence:
The Pump gives 10 bar pressure to the Machine and it will give good
production.
Here how can we identify ...
0
votes
1answer
313 views
Using the word “sad” after a noun
On Collins dictionary, one of the meanings of "sad" is: "If you describe someone as sad, you do not have any respect for them and think their behavior or ideas are ridiculous.", and it says that it is ...
0
votes
2answers
245 views
Can “on VERBing” be ambiguous?
SOURCE
Oxford Learner's dictionary says, in its definition of on:
5 immediately after something
On arriving home I discovered they had gone.
There was a letter waiting for him on his return.
...
-1
votes
4answers
1k views
How do you make a sentence like 'I saw the bird singing.' unambiguous?
There is a sentence,
I saw the bird singing.
I think the sentence above can have two meaning.
First meaning is ' I saw the singing bird.'
Second meaning is ' I saw the bird while I am singing.'
...
-1
votes
2answers
85 views
What does '‘end of the Eastern Bloc’ suggest? - Test 3, Q21, p 143
The 95 Theses were written in 1517 and by 1521 [Martin] Luther had developed
these ideas and burned the Book of Canon Law and the Papal Bull Exsurge Dominie.
Four years in the C20 would be considered ...
-1
votes
2answers
65 views
About “AND” Which one is correct? And Why?
How can I understand the sentence below?
My best friend and my father’s father both come from Wales.
Which one of these is correct? And Why?
A. My best friend and my father's father (...
-1
votes
1answer
236 views
Best way to ask if a person lacks a criminal record in a form on a website
I have a website and there's an online form to be filled out by people who visit the site. I want to make sure that a certain person lacks a criminal record (that he hasn't one). So I put this:
Lack ...
-1
votes
1answer
338 views
“Deviate” Meanings [closed]
I have a question about the usage of the verb "deviate". According to dictionaries, "deviate from" means:
"to do something different from what is usual or expected"
"to be something different ...
-1
votes
2answers
30 views
what is the meaning of “Smiling upon”?
what is the meaning of "Smiling upon"?
Mr. Somes said: "Mr. President, would it be improper for me to inquire
whether there has been any pressure brought to bear upon you to defer
the enforcement of ...
-1
votes
0answers
16 views
what can each of us do
a. What can all of us do?
Is this sentence ambiguous?
First meaning: What can we all do together?
Second meaning: What can every one of us do?
==================================
b. What can each of us ...
-1
votes
1answer
38 views
does “town” and “city” are the same place in this context?
does "town" and "city" are the same place in this context?
i mean. does the "city" refers to the mentioned "town"?
This drives him to the consideration of whether these things may not
be ...
-1
votes
1answer
26 views
How to describe a noun standing before the last word with 'which'?
I have a sentence:
"I lived in the southern city of Kazakhstan, which is surrounded by mountains."
In this sentence, it looks like that is Kazakhstan is surrounded by mountains. However, I wanted to ...
-1
votes
1answer
64 views
aside from his financial situation
a. Aside from his financial situation, he has a lot to be grateful for.
b. Aside from his financial situation, he has a lot of other things to be grateful for.
c. Aside from his financial ...
-3
votes
1answer
485 views
Which meaning of 'incident to' ? - 1932 US
Source: Powell v Alabama (1932)
It is true that great and inexcusable delay in the enforcement
of our criminal law is one of the grave evils of our time.
Continuances are frequently granted for ...
-3
votes
1answer
34 views
Why does Crookes want to “avoid inquiry” despite “pursuit of truth”?
Why does Crookes want to "avoid inquiry" despite "pursuit of truth"?
It's a bit confusing.
He writes:
"It argues ill for the boasted freedom of opinion among scientific men
that they have so ...
-4
votes
2answers
116 views
What does 'we are bid to' mean?
Source: p 116, Introducing Philosophy for Canadians: A Text with Integrated Readings (2011 1 ed) by Solomon, McDermid.
Primary Source: p 110, Method in Theology, Volume 12 (1972)
by Bernard J. F. ...
