semantics linguistics
5. A. The following sentences may be lexically or structurally ambiguous, or both. Provide paraphrases showing you comprehend all the meanings.
a. We laughed at the colourful ball.
Meaning 1: We laughed at the colourful ball that was held.
Meaning 2: We were at the colourful ball and we laughed.
b. He was knocked over by the punch.
Meaning 1: He was knocked over by the strong liquor.
Meaning 2: He was knocked over after he was punched.
c. The police were urged to stop drinking by the fifth.
Meaning 1: The police were urged to stop drinking at the fifth glass of liquor.
Meaning 2: The police were urged to stop drinking by the fifth day.
d. I said I would file it on Thursday.
Meaning 1: I said I would compile it on Thursday.
Meaning 2: I said I would hand it in on Thursday.
e. I cannot recommend visiting professors too highly.
Meaning 1: I cannot recommend professors who are visiting too highly.
Meaning 2: I cannot recommend too highly on visiting the professors
f. The license fee for pets owned by senior citizens who have not been altered is $1.50. (Actual notice)
Meaning 1: The license fee for senior citizens who own pets that have not been spayed or neutered is $ 1.50.
Meaning 2: The license fee for senior citizens who are mentally incapable that own pets is $ 1.50.
g. What looks better on a handsome man than a tux? Nothing! (Attributed to Mae West)
Meaning 1: What looks better on handsome man than a tux? When he is wearing nothing.
Meaning 2: Nothing looks better on a handsome man than a tux.
h. Wanted: Man to take care of cow that doesn’t not smoke or drink.
Meaning 1: A man is wanted to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink.
Meaning 2: A man who does not smoke or drink is wanted to take care of cow.
i. For sale: Several old dresses from grandmother in beautiful condition.
Meaning 1: Several old dresses that are in beautiful condition from grandmother are for sale
Meaning 2: Several old a dresses from a grandmother in beautiful condition are for
a. We laughed at the colourful ball.
Meaning 1: We laughed at the colourful ball that was held.
Meaning 2: We were at the colourful ball and we laughed.
b. He was knocked over by the punch.
Meaning 1: He was knocked over by the strong liquor.
Meaning 2: He was knocked over after he was punched.
c. The police were urged to stop drinking by the fifth.
Meaning 1: The police were urged to stop drinking at the fifth glass of liquor.
Meaning 2: The police were urged to stop drinking by the fifth day.
d. I said I would file it on Thursday.
Meaning 1: I said I would compile it on Thursday.
Meaning 2: I said I would hand it in on Thursday.
e. I cannot recommend visiting professors too highly.
Meaning 1: I cannot recommend professors who are visiting too highly.
Meaning 2: I cannot recommend too highly on visiting the professors
f. The license fee for pets owned by senior citizens who have not been altered is $1.50. (Actual notice)
Meaning 1: The license fee for senior citizens who own pets that have not been spayed or neutered is $ 1.50.
Meaning 2: The license fee for senior citizens who are mentally incapable that own pets is $ 1.50.
g. What looks better on a handsome man than a tux? Nothing! (Attributed to Mae West)
Meaning 1: What looks better on handsome man than a tux? When he is wearing nothing.
Meaning 2: Nothing looks better on a handsome man than a tux.
h. Wanted: Man to take care of cow that doesn’t not smoke or drink.
Meaning 1: A man is wanted to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink.
Meaning 2: A man who does not smoke or drink is wanted to take care of cow.
i. For sale: Several old dresses from grandmother in beautiful condition.
Meaning 1: Several old dresses that are in beautiful condition from grandmother are for sale
Meaning 2: Several old a dresses from a grandmother in beautiful condition are for