adding to the ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding to the ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations, statements, or actions that contribute to confusion or uncertainty. Example: "The lack of clear communication is adding to the ambiguity surrounding the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The verdict is adding to the ambiguity, and leaves the door open for Mubarak to at least have his sentence reduced on appeal.

The Guardian - Opinion

He knows his brazenly homoerotic performance in "Angels" is likely to generate a round of is-he-or-isn't-he questions about his sexuality, and he seemed to enjoy adding to the ambiguity with double entendres like that one.

The New York Times - Arts

Furthermore, dicarboxylic acids can leach out from plastics during the extraction process, further adding to the ambiguity of their role in ionizing radiation.

Analytical Chemistry

Adding to the ambiguity, unlike issues such as Social Security or Medicare reform, the politics here aren't clear cut either.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And it's a nice change for Turner to use his natural Irish accent – "Just to add to the ambiguity," he says.

Independent

And Nina Simone, who made more famous the Screamin' Jay Hawkins song I Put a Spell On You, only adds to the ambiguity of just who exactly is under the spell here.

The Guardian - Music

Jesus added to the ambiguity of the passage, furthermore, by never precisely defining the content of these two spheres.

Huffington Post

Forms are a cross between organic and geometric which adds to the ambiguity of their existence as something tangible.

Huffington Post

In addition, the large heterogeneity of RA adds to the ambiguity of the magnitude of missing heritability, as shown by the different genetic contributions of HLA shared epitope (SE) alleles in anti cyclic citrullinated peptide positive (anti-CCP+) patients (18%) and in anti-CCP− patients (2.4%) [ 6].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Second, the casual use of the term 'intensification' in the scientific literature, often used synonymously with the complex changes related to agricultural industrialisation processes (such as those during the 'green revolution') or with any detrimental socio-ecological effects of land use, further adds to the ambiguity.

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

The kidney is central to these definitions; the broad etiquette of "superimposed PE" has been used to indicate both placental dysfunction and worsening of the kidney disease, adding to the current ambiguity of this term [ 12].

Disease Markers

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adding to the ambiguity" when you want to emphasize that a specific action, statement, or situation is making something less clear or more confusing. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is becoming more ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "adding to the ambiguity" when simpler alternatives like "making it unclear" or "causing confusion" are more appropriate. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to the ambiguity" functions as a verb phrase that contributes to a description, indicating that something is increasing the level of uncertainty or lack of clarity. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adding to the ambiguity" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote an increase in uncertainty or confusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and fit for use in written English.

Its usage spans across diverse contexts like news, scientific discourse, and everyday conversations. While direct, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives like "increasing confusion" to avoid unnecessary complexity. Remember that the examples highlight its relevance in situations where clarity is expected, reinforcing its effectiveness in conveying the detrimental effect of increased ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing the vagueness

Focuses on the lack of clarity rather than the overall confusion.

heightening the uncertainty

Emphasizes the rise in uncertainty, suggesting it was already present.

exacerbating the confusion

Highlights the worsening of an existing state of confusion.

fuelling the murkiness

Uses a metaphor to describe the increasing lack of clarity.

deepening the obscurity

Focuses on making something less clear or harder to understand.

compounding the indistinctness

Stresses the combination of factors that make something unclear.

contributing to the opacity

Emphasizes a lack of transparency or understandability.

amplifying the equivocation

Highlights the use of vague or ambiguous language to avoid commitment.

magnifying the imprecision

Focuses on the increase in lack of exactness or accuracy.

augmenting the uncertainty

Formally describes increasing the amount of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "adding to the ambiguity" in a sentence?

You can use "adding to the ambiguity" to describe something that increases confusion or lack of clarity, for example: "The vague statement is "adding to the ambiguity" surrounding the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "adding to the ambiguity"?

Alternatives include "increasing the confusion", "heightening the uncertainty", or "exacerbating the confusion", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "add to the ambiguity" instead of "adding to the ambiguity"?

While "add to the ambiguity" can be grammatically correct, it often requires a different sentence structure. "Adding to the ambiguity" typically describes an ongoing action, whereas "add to the ambiguity" might be used in a command or suggestion.

What's the difference between "adding to the ambiguity" and "reducing the ambiguity"?

"Adding to the ambiguity" means making something less clear or more confusing, while "reducing the ambiguity" means making something clearer or less confusing. They are antonyms.