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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