Tree diagram and sentence ambiguity

Tree diagram and sentence ambiguity

By Istiqomah Wulandari

TREE DIAGRAMS

https://essentialsoflinguistics.pressbooks.com/chapter/8-2-tree-diagrams/

​AMBIGUITY

https://essentialsoflinguistics.pressbooks.com/chapter/9-2-ambiguity/

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Multiple Select

Change the sentence so that it is logical and not ambiguous (select all that apply):

The burglar threatened the woman with a knife.

• The woman with a knife threatened the burglar.

• The burglar with a knife threatened the woman.

• The woman was threatened by the burglar with a knife.

• The burglar and the woman were threatened with a knife.

Multiple Select

Change the sentence so that it is logical and not ambiguous (select all that apply):



I put the glass on the table filled with orange juice.

• The table is filled with a glass of orange juice.

• The glass of orange juice is put on the table filled with me.

• I put the glass on the table, which is filled with orange juice.

• I put the glass filled with orange juice on the table.

Multiple Select

Change the sentence so that it is logical and not ambiguous (select all that apply):

The teacher said on Monday he would give a test.

• On Monday, the teacher said he would give a test.

• On Monday, a test will be given by the teacher.

• The teacher said he would give a test on Monday.

• The teacher will give a test which will be written from Monday onwards.

Multiple Select

Which of the following meanings can this sentence have? (select all that apply):

Visiting relatives can be boring.

• It can be boring to visit relatives.

• The relatives that visit can be boring.

• Relatives are always boring.

• Never visit a boring relative.

Multiple Select

Which of the following meanings can this sentence have? (select all that apply):

Jessica tells her mother she is looking tired.

• Jessica is telling her mother that her mother is looking tired.

• Jessica is telling her mother that she (Jessica) is looking tired.

• Jessica is telling her mother that someone else is looking tired.

• Jessica's mother is telling her that she is looking tired.

Multiple Select

Change the sentence so that it is logical and not ambiguous (select all that apply):

The lady walks past the dog wearing a green dress.

• The dog wearing a green dress walks past the lady.

• The dog walks past the lady wearing the green dress.

• The lady wearing a green dress walks past the dog.

• The lady wearing a green dress walks past the dog wearing a green dress.

Multiple Select

Change the sentence so that it is logical and not ambiguous (select all that apply):

The man drives a blue car with a hat.

• The man wearing a hat drives a blue car.

• The blue car drives the man wearing a hat.

• The man drives a blue car.

• The blue car is driven by the man wearing a hat.

Multiple Select

Which of the following meanings can this sentence have? (select all that apply):

Cinderella told Rapunzel that her prince is coming.

• Cinderella told Rapunzel that her (Cinderella's) prince is coming.

• Rapunzel told Cinderella that her (Rapunzel's) prince is coming.

• Cinderella told Rapunzel that Rapunzel's prince is coming.

• Both Rapunzel and Cinderella's prince is coming.

Multiple Select

Change the sentence so that it is logical and not ambiguous (select all that apply):

The girl was stung by a bee with blonde hair.

• The girl with blonde hair was stung by a bee.

• The bee with blonde hair stung the girl.

• The girl was stung by a bee and it had blonde hair.

• The bee was stung by a girl with blonde hair.

Open Ended

Now it your turn get other example of sentences ambiguity and explain the different structures and meanings