a source of ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a source of ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that creates uncertainty or confusion in a particular context. Example: "The vague wording in the contract is a source of ambiguity that could lead to misunderstandings between the parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Additionally, the use of a red highlight on the Agree button may be a source of ambiguity.

University of California, Berkeley

The decision, they said, was "recognition of current and historic reality". They said it could hasten, rather than impede, peace negotiations by removing a source of ambiguity from the American position.

The New York Times

A major challenge for de novo sequencing, in which sequences are assembled for the very first time (such as with the HGP), is the production of individual DNA reads that are of sufficient length and quality to span common repetitive elements, which are a general property of complex genome sequences and a source of ambiguity for sequence assembly.

Britannica

A source of ambiguity for chemical entities is the heavy use of acronyms, abbreviations, short chemical formula and certain trivial names used in the literature.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Additionally, a few common English words such as gold, lead and iron are also a source of ambiguity for NER systems.

Journal of Cheminformatics

This might be considered a source of ambiguity, e.g. a complex ABC1 ABC2 might combine with another ABC3 ABC4 to form a complex ABC1 ABC2: ABC1 ABC24.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We identify over-specification of the state vector as a source of both ambiguity and error in the partial derivatives used in forming analytical forms of the chemical source Jacobian matrix.

Combustion and Flame

While subsequent tapes do in general remove deeper layers of the SC, tape stripping as a means of depth profiling is a source of significant ambiguity.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

The lack of formal semantics for the data is a source of potential ambiguity that makes it difficult to create reliable information technology systems for enabling clinical pharmacogenomics.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

This is a source of potential ambiguity and complexity, making it difficult to create reliable information technology systems for enabling clinical pharmacogenomics.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

A further source of ambiguity in the definition of biological altruism concerns the time-scale over which fitness is measured.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a source of ambiguity", ensure that you clearly identify what the ambiguity stems from. Being specific enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a source of ambiguity" as a vague placeholder. Always specify the exact element or situation that leads to the ambiguity to maintain precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a source of ambiguity" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the origin or cause of uncertainty or a lack of clarity. It is used to pinpoint what is creating the potential for multiple interpretations or misunderstandings, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a source of ambiguity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to identify the origin of uncertainty or lack of clarity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is more common in scientific and academic contexts, appearing frequently in publications where precision is important. While acceptable and clearly understood, remember to specify what exactly is creating ambiguity to maintain precision in your writing. Ludwig AI also suggests similar phrases to be "a cause of uncertainty", "a reason for vagueness", or "a basis for misinterpretation" to better express your ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cause of uncertainty

Replaces 'source' with 'cause', focusing on the origin of the uncertainty.

a reason for vagueness

Substitutes 'ambiguity' with 'vagueness', highlighting the lack of precision.

a root of indistinctness

Uses 'root' instead of 'source' and 'indistinctness' for 'ambiguity', focusing on a lack of clarity.

a ground for obscurity

Replaces 'source' with 'ground' and 'ambiguity' with 'obscurity', suggesting a lack of transparency.

an origin of doubt

Changes 'ambiguity' to 'doubt', focusing on uncertainty.

a generator of confusion

Emphasizes the potential for misunderstanding by using 'generator of confusion'.

a basis for misinterpretation

Focuses on the potential for incorrect understanding.

an incubator of equivocation

Uses more formal terms to highlight the creation of ambiguity.

a wellspring of opacity

Suggests that ambiguity flows from it like water from a well.

a breeding ground for imprecision

Highlights how it can lead to lack of exactness.

FAQs

How can I use "a source of ambiguity" in a sentence?

Use "a source of ambiguity" to pinpoint what causes a lack of clarity or creates multiple interpretations. For example, "The poorly defined terms were "a source of ambiguity" in the contract".

What phrases are similar to "a source of ambiguity"?

Alternatives include "a cause of uncertainty", "a reason for vagueness", or "a basis for misinterpretation", each emphasizing different aspects of the lack of clarity.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "a source of ambiguity"?

While "a source of ambiguity" is grammatically correct, providing specific details about what creates the ambiguity will always make your writing more clear and precise.

What's the difference between "a source of ambiguity" and "a source of confusion"?

While similar, "a source of ambiguity" suggests multiple possible interpretations, while "a source of confusion" implies a lack of understanding or bewilderment. Ambiguity can lead to confusion, but the terms are not interchangeable.