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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Phrasal ambiguity

i need to know the difference between semantic phrasal ambiguity and structural phrasal ambiguity in English sentences
  

Top answer

The famous song title "Stand By Your Man" has semantic ambiguity for the phrase "stand by" 1) "Stand by" meaning SUPPORT (your husband) 2) "Stand by" meaning STAND NEXT TO (your husband) Structural ambiguity "He 'stood up' his girlfriend" meaning he abandoned his girl friend contrast "He 'stood' up the top of the street " which is London English for "he stood at the top of the street" Notice that 'up' is part of the verb in abandoning his girl friend by is a preposition with the street. I hope this a clear example Mario Brown

— Mjcbrown

  • The famous song title "Stand By Your Man" has semantic ambiguity for the phrase "stand by" 1) "Stand by" meaning SUPPORT (your husband) 2) "Stand by" meaning STAND NEXT TO (your husband) Structural ambiguity "He 'stood up' his girlfriend" meaning he abandoned his girl friend contrast "He 'stood' up the top of the street " which is London English for "he stood at the top of the street" Notice that 'up' is part of the verb in abandoning his girl friend by is a preposition with the street.
  • I hope this a clear example Mario Brown
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1 Answers
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The famous song title

"Stand By Your Man"

has semantic ambiguity for the phrase "stand by"

1) "Stand by" meaning SUPPORT (your husband)
2) "Stand by" meaning STAND NEXT TO (your husband)

Structural ambiguity
"He 'stood up' his girlfriend" meaning he abandoned his girl friend

contrast
"He 'stood' up the to
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