0
Lukand Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

How to avoid a nomenclature ambiguity?

Hallo

Could anyone dispel my doubts on how to name objects in an unequivocal way. Let me provide some examples.

(I) If I type, write or say: ‘a rear glass panel frame’ does it mean

(1) ‘a frame of a rear glass panel’
or
(2) ‘a rear frame of a glass panel’?

(II) If I type, write or say: a ‘rear frame glass panel’, does it mean

(1) ‘a rear glass panel of a frame’
or
(2) ‘a glass panel of a rear frame’?

Are there any rules which may be of help to prevent such kind of confusion.?

Kindest regards
  

Top answer

lukand (I) If I type, write or say: ‘a rear glass panel frame’ does it mean(1) ‘a frame of a rear glass panel’or(2) ‘a rear frame of a glass panel’? Relying on common sense, I would interpret that as (1). lukand (II) If I type, write or say: a ‘rear frame glass panel’, does it mean(1) ‘a rear glass panel of a frame’or(2) ‘a glass panel of a rear frame’?

— Mister Micawber

  • lukand (I) If I type, write or say: ‘a rear glass panel frame’ does it mean(1) ‘a frame of a rear glass panel’or(2) ‘a rear frame of a glass panel’?
  • Relying on common sense, I would interpret that as (1).
  • lukand (II) If I type, write or say: a ‘rear frame glass panel’, does it mean(1) ‘a rear glass panel of a frame’or(2) ‘a glass panel of a rear frame’?
  • Relying on common sense, I would interpret that as (2) lukand Are there any rules which may be of help to prevent such kind of confusion.?
  • Common sense and a familiarity with the object, condition or situation are your only sure friends with such long noun phrases.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
lukand(I) If I type, write or say: ‘a rear glass panel frame’ does it mean(1) ‘a frame of a rear glass panel’or(2) ‘a rear frame of a glass panel’?
Relying on common sense, I would interpret that as (1).
lukand(II) If I type, write or say: a ‘rear frame glass panel’, does it mean(1) ‘a rear glass panel of a frame’or(2) ‘a glass panel of
0

Related Questions