AMBIGUITY

By:

G.Vamshidhar rao (10SETME628)

AMBIGUITY

Ambiguity is a hindrance to clarity. The faulty

construction of sentences gives rise to ambiguity.

Generally, ambiguity arises because of the

misplaced modifiers in sentences. (A modifier is a

word/phrase/clause which tells us something more

about a noun, verb or adjective in a sentence).

Ambiguity is a condition where information can be

understood or interpreted in more than one way

EXAMPELS

We don't just serve hamburgers, we

serve people.

He noticed a large stain in the rug

that was right in the centre.

He noticed a large stain in the centre

of the rug.

John found his wallet near the bank

QUESTIONS

How ambiguity can be removed?

Examples of ambiguous

sentences.

REDUNDANCY

Redundancy is the part of a message that can be

eliminated without loss of much information.

(unnecessary repetition)

Once necessary words are pruned, the idea stands

out clearly and effectively.

12 midnight midnight

12 noon noon

3 am in the morning 3 am

absolutely spectacular/phenomenal

spectacular/phenomenal

a person who is honest an honest person

a total of 14 birds 14 birds

biography of her life biography

circle around circle

close proximity proximity

Redundant: The reason that we stopped for the

night was because we were tired.

Redundant: Because we were tired, we therefore

stopped for the night.

Better: We stopped for the night because as we

were tired.

Redundant: The underlying motive behind his kind

words was so that he could borrow money from me.

Better: The underlying motive for his kind words was

so that he could borrow money from me.

Better: The motive behind his kind words was so

that he could borrow money from me.