Ambiguity in Negation: "John did not come because of the rain"



John did not come because of the rain.



This sentence seems to allow the following two completely different interpretations.



  1. John did not come. And the reason was the rain.

  2. John came. But the reason was not the rain.


Questions


A. How does this ambiguity arise? Is it because of negation?


B. What is the easiest way to avoid this ambiguity?




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