a slight ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or statement that is not entirely clear or has multiple interpretations. Example: "The instructions provided contained a slight ambiguity that led to confusion among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A slight ambiguity about the chemical structures of the pro-drugs and their active forms hinders understanding of the structure-activity relationships.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's worth pointing out also that the slight ambiguity of past Seedcamp years has now gone.

TechCrunch

Clarity is also an issue, which is incredibly important when building a chatbot, as even the slightest ambiguity within one of the steps could cause it to fail.

TechCrunch

The slightest ambiguity in overwhelming evidence lets wrongdoers walk free.In this section The president and the potbangers For richer or poorer Worth the wait Embassy-mates ReprintsUntil now: in recent weeks Brazil has been transfixed by the sight of its most senior judges on live television, sweeping aside legal manoeuvres in what has become known as the "trial of the century".

The Economist

Clubfoot is a typical example' (Participant no 10) Moreover, the obstetricians realised that expectant parents were very attentive to health professional reactions during the ultrasound examination, and felt that the slightest ambiguity revealed by the ultrasound operator could create anxiety in the expectant parents.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

In the case of the gene dictionary, the number of terms between the raw and curated dictionaries increases in 19% with a slight effect in the ambiguity.

BioMed Research International

The slightest ambiguities, the most inexplicable transpositions of ideas take place.

The Guardian - Books

They are merely a slight modification of existing models of belief for situations of ambiguity.

SEP

A slight?

The New York Times

A slight smile rose.

The New York Times

A slight pause.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight ambiguity", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to infer the intended meaning, even if it's not explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "slight ambiguity" is insignificant. Even minor uncertainties can lead to misinterpretations and errors, especially in technical or legal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight ambiguity" functions as a noun phrase, where "slight" modifies the noun "ambiguity". It describes a situation where something is not entirely clear or has multiple possible interpretations. Ludwig's AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slight ambiguity" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe situations where there's a minor lack of clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly common, the phrase appears across diverse contexts like science, news, and formal writing. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the surrounding context provides enough clues for readers to infer the intended meaning, thereby preventing potential misinterpretations. Alternatives like "a minor vagueness" or "a small uncertainty" offer similar shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor vagueness

Replaces "ambiguity" with "vagueness", emphasizing the lack of precision.

a small uncertainty

Substitutes "ambiguity" with "uncertainty", highlighting the element of doubt.

a touch of obscurity

Uses "obscurity" instead of "ambiguity", suggesting something is slightly unclear or hidden.

a trace of equivocation

Replaces "ambiguity" with "equivocation", indicating a slight hint of evasiveness or double meaning.

a hint of imprecision

Emphasizes the lack of exactness rather than multiple interpretations.

a degree of indistinctness

Focuses on the lack of clear definition.

a shadow of doubt

Highlights the uncertainty aspect of the ambiguity.

a minimal lack of clarity

Directly states the deficiency in clearness.

a negligible opacity

Suggests a very small amount of something being difficult to understand.

a subtle lack of definition

Emphasizes the delicate nature of the lack of clear outlines or meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight ambiguity" in a sentence?

You can use "a slight ambiguity" to describe situations or statements that are not entirely clear. For example, "The contract contained "a slight ambiguity" regarding payment terms, which needed clarification."

What are some alternatives to "a slight ambiguity"?

Some alternatives include "a minor vagueness", "a small uncertainty", or "a hint of imprecision".

Is it acceptable to use "a slight ambiguity" in formal writing?

Yes, "a slight ambiguity" is acceptable in formal writing, but it's crucial to ensure that the surrounding context provides sufficient clarity to avoid misinterpretation.

How does "a slight ambiguity" differ from "a significant ambiguity"?

"A slight ambiguity" implies a minor lack of clarity that can be easily resolved, while "a significant ambiguity" suggests a more substantial lack of clarity that could lead to serious misunderstandings or disputes.