allthingslinguistic:

Structural Ambiguity (illustrations from SpecGram)

In fact, “time flies like an arrow” has at least 11 possible interpretations:

• (as an imperative) measure the speed of flying insects like you would measure that of an arrow – i.e. (You should) time flies as you would (time) an arrow
• (imperative) measure the speed of flying insects like an arrow would – i.e. (You should) time flies by the same method that an arrow would (time them)
• (imperative) very quickly measure the speed of flying insects – i.e. (You should) time flies as quickly as an arrow would (be or move)
• (imperative) measure the speed of flying insects that are like arrows – i.e. (You should) time (those) flies (that are) like an arrow
• (declarative, i.e. neutrally stating a proposition) all of a type of flying insect, “time-flies,” collectively enjoy a single arrow (compare Fruit flies like a banana)
• (declarative) each of a type of flying insect, “time-flies,” individually enjoys a different arrow (similar comparison applies)
• (declarative) each of a type of flying insect, “time-flies,” individually enjoys an occasional arrow when there is an opportunity (compare: “He prefers beer, but I like a martini”)
• (declarative) the common metaphor “time,” moves in a way an arrow would (which, depending on the context of the phrase may mean “moves in a straight line”, “moves by parabola”, “its move depends on the wind”, etc.)
• (declarative) a copy of the magazine Time, when thrown, moves in a similar manner to that of an arrow.
• (declarative) time flees (attempts to escape) in the same way that an arrow does.
• (declarative) The company responsible for publishing Time (magazine) Magazine (via synecdoche) is fleeing like an arrow would.