Ambiguity
is this sentence ambiguous?
must have the item back in its original packing in new condition
Top answer
What ambiguity do you suspect? Is it that "in new condition" could refer to either "item" or "packing"? The latter interpretation seems a stretch, and I think it is clear anyway from common sense that it's intended to mean the former.
- What ambiguity do you suspect?
- Is it that "in new condition" could refer to either "item" or "packing"?
- The latter interpretation seems a stretch, and I think it is clear anyway from common sense that it's intended to mean the former.
- On the other hand, who knows what someone might argue in a court of law.
- In any case, I prefer this: ...
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
What ambiguity do you suspect? Is it that "in new condition" could refer to either "item" or "packing"? The latter interpretation seems a stretch, and I think it is clear anyway from common sense that it's intended to mean the former. On the other hand, who knows what someone might argue in a court of law. In any case, I prefer this:
... must have the item back in new condition in its
0
Related Questions