noun
- ambiguity or uncertainty of meaning in language, especially when a sentence or phrase can be interpreted in more than one way due to its grammatical structure
Usage: formal; rhetoric and linguistics
Examples
- The sentence 'I saw the man with the telescope' contains an amphibology because it is unclear whether the man or the speaker has the telescope.
- The politician's statement was full of amphibology, allowing supporters and critics to interpret it differently.
- In formal writing, amphibology should be avoided to ensure clear communication.
- The advertisement's amphibology made it difficult for consumers to understand the actual product benefits.
- Teachers often use examples of amphibology to help students recognize and correct ambiguous sentences.