Crossword puzzle : Syntactic ambiguities in English

ByVocaVerb
Syntactic ambiguities in English [C2] — VocaVerb

English syntax can be a slippery thing: the same string of words can mean two very different things depending on how you parse them. This crossword challenges your understanding of structural and lexical ambiguity, from dangling modifiers to attachment puzzles. Can you navigate the grammatical grey areas that even native speakers stumble over?

Grid

Fill in the grid: pick a square, read the clue and type your answer.

Clues

Across

  1. 1. Past form of will used in reporting
  2. 4. Part of sentence about the subject
  3. 7. Group of words with subject and verb
  4. 10. Arrangement of parts in a sentence
  5. 12. Complete grammatical unit of meaning
  6. 15. Are not in short form
  7. 16. Relating to words and vocabulary
  8. 17. word indicating later time
  9. 18. Connected to a grammatical element

Down

  1. 1. At which place
  2. 2. from which place or source
  3. 3. Stress resolving spoken ambiguity
  4. 5. State of having multiple meanings
  5. 6. Type of clause modifying a noun
  6. 8. Relating to sentence structure rules
  7. 9. Symbols showing syntactic grouping
  8. 11. Surrounding info clarifying meaning
  9. 13. Easy to understand or see
  10. 14. Continuing up to a point in time

Answers

Show the answers

Across

  • 1. Past form of will used in reporting → would
  • 4. Part of sentence about the subject → predicate
  • 7. Group of words with subject and verb → clause
  • 10. Arrangement of parts in a sentence → structure
  • 12. Complete grammatical unit of meaning → sentence
  • 15. Are not in short form → arent
  • 16. Relating to words and vocabulary → lexical
  • 17. word indicating later time → after
  • 18. Connected to a grammatical element → attached

Down

  • 1. At which place → where
  • 2. from which place or source → whence
  • 3. Stress resolving spoken ambiguity → accent
  • 5. State of having multiple meanings → ambiguity
  • 6. Type of clause modifying a noun → relative
  • 8. Relating to sentence structure rules → syntactic
  • 9. Symbols showing syntactic grouping → brackets
  • 11. Surrounding info clarifying meaning → context
  • 13. Easy to understand or see → clear
  • 14. Continuing up to a point in time → still

To go further on this topic:

Review the lesson · Practice exercises

Other lessons at this level:

Syntactic constraints in English : complete courseStylistic effects in English : complete courseGrammatical figures of style in English : complete course