Marginally unclear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Marginally unclear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly ambiguous or not fully clear in meaning. Example: "The instructions provided were marginally unclear, leading to some confusion among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Marginally perhaps.

The New York Times

"Marginally, but still positive".

The New York Times

"Marginally, it's a factor.

The New York Times - Sports

Marginally, the US.

BBC

The patient previously had marginally increased liver enzymes and it was unclear whether the observed increase in liver enzymes was related to the IV iron treatment.

American Journal of Gastroenterology

Others have also reported up to a quarter of patients with IBS have marginally elevated calprotectin though the origin of this is unclear.

Gut

How deeply or marginally he was involved in the Gunpowder Plot (in which his kinsman Thomas Percy played a leading role) is unclear, but he was arrested, tried in 1606, and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Tower.

Britannica

marginally useful.

Harvard University

But only marginally.

Independent

Chelsea fared marginally better.

The New York Times - Sports

Laughter marginally improved.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marginally unclear" when you want to express that something is not entirely clear, but not significantly confusing either. It's suitable for nuanced descriptions where precision isn't critical.

Common error

Avoid using "marginally unclear" when the situation involves significant confusion or substantial lack of clarity. Opt for stronger terms like "ambiguous" or "incomprehensible" if the unclarity is more pronounced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginally unclear" functions as an adjectival modifier, where "marginally" modifies the adjective "unclear". It describes the extent to which something lacks clarity, indicating a slight or limited degree of ambiguity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marginally unclear" is used to describe something that is slightly ambiguous or not fully clear. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable. It is suitable for expressing a nuanced degree of ambiguity in both formal and informal contexts. It is important to use "marginally unclear" accurately, avoiding overstatement of the unclarity and to use the alternatives when appropriate. While it appears in reputable sources such as the New York Times and The Guardian, it's considered rare, so the user must be certain about when to use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly ambiguous

Indicates a small degree of ambiguity.

Somewhat vague

Suggests a lack of precision or detail.

Not entirely clear

Directly states the absence of complete clarity.

Partially obscure

Implies that only a portion of something is unclear.

A bit hazy

Uses a metaphor to describe the lack of clarity.

Kind of fuzzy

Similar to 'a bit hazy', but more informal.

Murky to some extent

Describes the unclarity as being like muddied water.

Imperfectly defined

Highlights the lack of precise definition.

Not fully resolved

Focuses on the unresolved nature of the lack of clarity.

Subtly uncertain

Emphasizes a slight degree of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "marginally unclear" in a sentence?

You can use "marginally unclear" to describe something that is slightly ambiguous or not fully clear, but not entirely incomprehensible. For example: "The instructions were "marginally unclear", leading to some minor confusion."

What are some alternatives to "marginally unclear"?

Alternatives include "slightly ambiguous", "somewhat vague", or "not entirely clear". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "marginally unclear" in formal writing?

Yes, "marginally unclear" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express a nuanced degree of ambiguity. It conveys a sense of professional assessment without being overly critical.

What's the difference between "marginally unclear" and "completely unclear"?

"Marginally unclear" implies that something is somewhat ambiguous but still understandable to some extent. "Completely unclear", on the other hand, means that something is entirely incomprehensible and lacks any clarity.