Ambiguous sentences
Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:01 am
Just for fun, I decided to collect ambiguous sentences, i.e. sentences which can be interpreted in more than one way. For example:
This could mean both "I know people are fond of me" or "I know people who resemble me".
Do you have any other interesting ambiguous sentences to share?
I know there are many more classic ones out there, but I've forgotten them.
I know people like me.
This could mean both "I know people are fond of me" or "I know people who resemble me".
Do you have any other interesting ambiguous sentences to share?
I know there are many more classic ones out there, but I've forgotten them.
Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:06 am
I probably have a small collection of them somewhere in my University notes after I took a class that had the basic purpose to teaching us to write with no ambiguity. I'll have to have a look for them soon.
Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:11 am
Medusa wrote:I probably have a small collection of them somewhere in my University notes after I took a class that had the basic purpose to teaching us to write with no ambiguity. I'll have to have a look for them soon.
Ooh, there is a whole bunch of ambiguous sentances for ya.
Them ca be interpreted as 'Them' as in, them or 'Them' as in what she is looking for. Sorry, couldn't resist... *Gets thwapped*
Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:17 am
"I like visiting relatives" <-- I like to visit relatives / I like relatives who visit.
"He saw the guy with glasses" <-- He used glasses to see the guy / he saw a guy with glasses.
"James told his friend that he was an idiot" <-- James is an idiot / Friend is an idiot.
"He saw the guy with glasses" <-- He used glasses to see the guy / he saw a guy with glasses.
"James told his friend that he was an idiot" <-- James is an idiot / Friend is an idiot.
Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:19 am
Twizzler0171 wrote:Medusa wrote:I probably have a small collection of them somewhere in my University notes after I took a class that had the basic purpose to teaching us to write with no ambiguity. I'll have to have a look for them soon.
Ooh, there is a whole bunch of ambiguous sentances for ya.
Most definately, I may have passed the unit but as you can probably tell, I'm not the best at following what we were taught. At least I avoid complex sentences with words that no normal person would understand though
Sat Feb 12, 2005 3:52 pm
"Would you rather have an crocodile bite you, or an alligator?"
^ Choose which one to be bitten by/Choose which one to be bitten
"Why can't you take a picture of a man with a wooden leg in __placename__?"
^ Why can't you photograph someone who wears a wooden leg/Why can't you photograph a man using a wooden leg
Those are two from rather popular "brain teasers."
^ Choose which one to be bitten by/Choose which one to be bitten
"Why can't you take a picture of a man with a wooden leg in __placename__?"
^ Why can't you photograph someone who wears a wooden leg/Why can't you photograph a man using a wooden leg
Those are two from rather popular "brain teasers."
Sun Feb 13, 2005 6:41 am
can't think of any right now XD
except for this one:
No.
hehhe. My mom uses it in such a way, that it could mean yes OR no *rolls eyes* you kinda have to guess which one she means, hahaha.
I would much rather have the alligator bitten, thank you very much.
except for this one:
No.
hehhe. My mom uses it in such a way, that it could mean yes OR no *rolls eyes* you kinda have to guess which one she means, hahaha.
I would much rather have the alligator bitten, thank you very much.
Sun Feb 13, 2005 7:09 am
"You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses!"
You would hit a guy that was wearing glasses/you wouldn't hit a guy if you had glasses on/you wouldn't hit a guy with a pair of glasses.
Only one I can think of at the moment.
You would hit a guy that was wearing glasses/you wouldn't hit a guy if you had glasses on/you wouldn't hit a guy with a pair of glasses.
Only one I can think of at the moment.
Last edited by LaceyJade on Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sun Feb 13, 2005 7:26 am
Wouldnt that also include hitting said person with the aforementioned glasses?
Sun Feb 13, 2005 5:21 pm
"Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim"
That was the only one that came to lazy mind. I'll think of more later. Hopefully.
That was the only one that came to lazy mind. I'll think of more later. Hopefully.
Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:05 pm
Christopher wrote:Wouldnt that also include hitting said person with the aforementioned glasses?
Oops, that's right, I'll add it too.
Mon Feb 14, 2005 1:57 am
"I once knew a man with a wooden leg named George"
"What was the name of his other leg?"
-That's from Mary Poppins. ^^
"What was the name of his other leg?"
-That's from Mary Poppins. ^^
Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:29 am
LaceyJade wrote:"You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses!"
You would hit a guy that was wearing glasses/you wouldn't hit a guy if you had glasses on/you wouldn't hit a guy with a pair of glasses.
Only one I can think of at the moment.
"never hit a man with glasses.. use your fists instead"
classics are the best.
Mon Feb 14, 2005 8:57 pm
His name wasn't George, it was Smith.
For a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down
For a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down
Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:51 am
Well, of course, there are the ridiculously common ones that are misinterpreted as innuendo or date-related. I can think of bundles of those.