Glossary:Scopal Ambiguity
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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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