How does amphiboly result from ambiguous grammar in a statement?

In the study of logic, amphiboly is classified as a verbal fallacy of ambiguity. It occurs when the grammatical structure of a statement is flawed or imprecise, allowing for multiple, distinct interpretations of the same sentence or phrase.1

Because the syntax is ambiguous, the listener or reader may assign a meaning to the statement that the speaker did not intend, or they may draw an invalid conclusion based on an unintended reading. A classic example is the phrase, "Save soap and waste paper." This can be interpreted in two ways: as a command to save both soap and waste paper, or as a command to save soap while simultaneously wasting paper.1

When such a statement is used as a premise in an argument, the shift between these possible meanings can lead to a logical error, as the conclusion relies on an interpretation that may not be supported by the actual intent of the premise. Unlike equivocation, which relies on the shifting meaning of a single word, amphiboly arises specifically from the arrangement and grammatical relationship of the words within the statement.1