Definition:Amphiboly

Definition

An amphiboly is an ambiguity resulting from poor syntax.

Examples

I would like some juice or water with ice

can mean either:

I would like some juice, or water with ice

or:

I would like some juice with ice, or water with ice

Similarly,

$48 \div 2\left({9 + 3}\right)$

can mean either:

$\dfrac {48} 2 \left({9 + 3}\right)$

or:

$\dfrac {48} {2 \left({9 + 3}\right)}$

In propositional logic, the lack of a defined precedence between the conjunction ("and") and disjunction ("or") means that such compound statements as:

$p \lor q \land r$

can be interpreted as either:

$\left({p \lor q}\right) \land r$

or

$p \lor \left({q \land r}\right)$

Also see

• Ambiguous
• Equivocation
• Vague

Sources

• Merrilee H. Salmon: Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking (1995) $\S 2.2, \ \S 2.5$
• For a video presentation of the contents of this page, visit the Khan Academy.