Composing and Disambiguation

What do I mean when I say that I like to eat meatballs at 1 A.M.? This statement (or it can be phrased as a question, as in “Do you like to eat meatballs at 1 A.M.?”

I like to eat meatballs.

I like to eat at 1 A.M.

I like to eat.

I only like to eat meatballs at 1 A.M.

I am composing two things — eating meatballs, and eating at 1 A.M. — the basic verb eat is modified by either an object or a time.

Why am I eating meatballs at 1 A.M.?

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