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Milky Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

exorcising ambiguity

How would you dispel the ambiguity in these sentences?



  1. Iraqi head seeks arms



  2. As you approach a junction, check your speed.



  3. Climbing plants can be dangerous.



  4. Tonight’s program discusses sex with Dr. Ruth.
  

Top answer

With all due respect, I would say you can certainly dispel or manage the ambiguity by (I think) reading the detailed articles that are likely to be followed because they look to be headlines.

— Believer

  • With all due respect, I would say you can certainly dispel or manage the ambiguity by (I think) reading the detailed articles that are likely to be followed because they look to be headlines.
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16 Answers
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With all due respect, I would say you can certainly dispel or manage the ambiguity by (I think) reading the detailed articles that are likely to be followed because they look to be headlines.
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Hi Milky,

I'm not a native speaker. Do make due allowance.

  1. Iraqi leader is after new arms.

  2. As you approach the junction, check the speed.

  3. Plant climbing can be dangerous.

  4. Dr. Ruth discusses *** in tonight's program.
What do you think?

Regards,

Slava
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Here's a famous one from the Second World War: Montgomery flies back to front.
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SchetinHi Milky,

I'm not a native speaker. Do make due allowance.

  1. Iraqi leader is after new arms. A bit clearer, for sure.
  2. As you approach the junction, check the speed. Good.
  3. Plant climbing can be dangerous. Not bad.
  4. Dr. Ruth discusses
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  1. Iraqi leader is seeking weapons



  2. As you approach a junction, take a look at your speed. (or reduce your speed - I'm honestly not sure which meaning was meant.)



  3. Plants that climb can be dangerous. Or Climbing on plants, as stated earlier.



  4. Dr. Ruth discusses *** on tonight’s program, as stated earlier.
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Then again... ellipsis may be at work:

Dr. Ruth discusses (the) *** on tonight’s program.

;-)
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Sorry, I don't catch your meaning on the "(the) ***"?
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I assume milky is trying to show that the sentence could be interpreted to mean "*** on tonight's program is discussed by Dr Ruth" Emotion: smile
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Ah. So the true exorcism is "On tonight's program, Dr. Ruth will discuss the topic of ***."
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