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
 * Vague
 * Law of the Excluded Middle