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The professor said on Monday that he would give an exam. Explain the causes of ambiguity, types of ambiguity, and suggest two possible sentences.
The professor said on Monday that he would give an exam. Explain the causes of ambiguity, types of ambiguity, and suggest two possible sentences.
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ChatGPT
8 hours ago
Ambiguity in language occurs when a word, phrase, or sentence can be interpreted in more than one way. There are several causes of ambiguity, including:
1. Lexical ambiguity: This occurs when a word has more than one meaning. For example, the word "bank" can refer to a financial institution or the side of a river.
2. Syntactic ambiguity: This occurs when the structure of a sentence allows for multiple interpretations. For example, "I saw the man with the telescope" could mean that the speaker saw a man who was holding a telescope or that the speaker used a telescope to see the man.
3. Semantic ambiguity: This occurs when the meaning of a word or phrase is unclear. For example, "I can't wait to see my friends in the park" could mean that the speaker is excited to see their friends who are in the park or that the speaker is excited to see their friends while they are in the park.
To avoid ambiguity, it is important to be clear and precise in communication. Two possible sentences that could clarify the professor's statement about giving an exam could be:
1. The professor said on Monday that he would give an exam on Friday. 2. The professor said on Monday that he would give an exam next week.
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Google Gemini AI
8 hours ago
Causes of Ambiguity:
- Syntax: Grammatical structure that allows for multiple interpretations. - Semantics: Use of words or phrases with more than one meaning. - Pragmatics: Contextual factors that influence meaning.
Types of Ambiguity:
- Lexical ambiguity: Multiple meanings for a single word/phrase. - Structural ambiguity: Multiple interpretations due to grammar. - Scope ambiguity: Uncertainty about which part of the sentence a modifier refers to.
Possible Sentences with Ambiguity:
1. Lexical Ambiguity:
- "The bank is closed." (Bank as financial institution or riverside)
2. Structural Ambiguity:
- "The woman with the dog is singing." (Woman singing or dog singing?)