Explain the semantic ambiguity of the following sentences by
providing
two or more sentences that paraphrase the multiple meaning.
a. He waited by
the bank
• A man is
standing by the financial institution.
• A man is
waiting outside of the bank.
b. Is he really
that kind?
• Is he really
that nice?
• Is he really
that generous?
c. The proprietor
of the fish store was the sole owner.
• The business
man/woman was the owner of the fish store.
• The owner of
the fish store was the only owner.
d. The long drill
was boring.
• The long
training was dull.
• The long practice
was not exciting.
e. When he got
the clear title to the land, it was a good deed.
• When he got
the documents for the land, it was free and clear.
• When he
received the official paperwork, the deed was clean.
f. It takes a
good ruler to make a straight line.
• It takes a
good measuring tool to draw a horizontal line.
• It takes a
good king to keep people in order.
g. He saw that
gasoline can explode.
• He observed
the gas can go up in flames.
• He watched the
fuel can burst in flames.
h. You should see
her shop.
• You can see
her purchase many items from the store.
• You can see
her buy some clothes.
i. Every man
loves a woman.
• Every husband
loves his wife.
• Every man
loves his mother.
j. You can get half
off the cost of your hotel room if you make your own bed.
• You can get
50% off your lodging if you make your own bed.
• You can get a
significant discount if you make your own bed.
k. “It’s his job to
lose” (said the coach about his new player)
• It is the
players fault if he loses his position.
• It is your
opportunity to shine if another player falls short.
k. Bill wants to
marry a Norwegian woman.
• He wants to
spend the rest of his life with a foreign woman.
• He wants to
grow old with a woman from Norway.
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