Structural Ambiguity

Structural Ambiguity

1. Is the potential of multiple interpretations for a piece of written or spoken language because of the way words or phrases are organized

2. How Ambiguity Leads to Misunderstanding

   • If care is not used when selecting phrases that taken in a connotative rather than a denotative context may have more than one meaning.
   • The professor said on Monday he would give an exam.
     • This sentence means either that it was on Monday that the professor told the class about the exam or that the exam would be given on Monday.
   • The chicken is ready to eat.
     • This sentence either means the chicken is cooked and can be eaten now or the chicken is ready to be fed.
   • The burglar threatened the student with the knife
     • This sentence either means that a knife-wielding burglar threatened a student or the student a burglar threatened was holding a knife.