Glossary:Scope Ambiguity: Difference between revisions

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Reading 1: For every man there is some woman that he loves
Reading 1: For every man there is some woman that he loves
Reading 2: Every man loves the same woman
Reading 2: Every man loves the same woman </br>
-> The different meaningsare determined by which quantifier is given the widest scope. By giving 'every' the widest scope, reading 1 arises; by giving 'a' the widest scope, reading 2 arises.   
-> The different meaningsare determined by which quantifier is given the widest scope. By giving 'every' the widest scope, reading 1 arises; by giving 'a' the widest scope, reading 2 arises.   



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Scope Ambiguity

/skəʊp æmbigjʊɘti/

Definition

Scope ambiguities arise when the scope (scope: an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends) of a part - or parts - of a sentence is unclear. Quantifiers (words like 'every') and negations often give rise to scope ambiguites.

Examples

1. Every man loves a woman.

Reading 1: For every man there is some woman that he loves Reading 2: Every man loves the same woman
-> The different meaningsare determined by which quantifier is given the widest scope. By giving 'every' the widest scope, reading 1 arises; by giving 'a' the widest scope, reading 2 arises.

2. All that glitters is not gold.

Reading 1: Everything that glitters is not made of gold; Conclusion: This rock glitters so it cannot be gold Reading 2: Not everything that glitters is gold; Conclusion: This rock glitters so it might be gold but it does not have to be. -> The different meanings are determined by the scope of the word not. By giving it a narrow scope ('not' only applies to ' gold'), reading 1 arises; by giving it a broad scope ('not' applies to 'All that glitters is gold'), reading 2 arises.

Related terms

References