Glossary:Scopal Ambiguity

Scopal Ambiguity

BE /skəʊp ˌæmbɪˈgju(ː)ɪti/, AE / skoʊp ˌæmbɪˈgjuəti/

Definition

Scopal ambiguity arises when a sentence contains two or more quantifiers. If this is the case the sentence can be understood in different ways.

Examples

• Some man loves every woman.
• Some students heard both concerts.

References

Kearns, Kate. 2000. Semantics. Basingstoke: Macmillan.

Related Terms

• Ambiguity
• Existential Quantifier
• Lexical Ambiguity
• Logical Quantifier
• Predicate Logic (First-order Logic)
• Quantifier
• Restricted Quantifier
• Structural Ambiguity
• Universal Quantifier

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