ambiguity surrounding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambiguity surrounding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an unclear or uncertain situation. For example, you could say "The ambiguity surrounding the new tax regulations has made it difficult to understand the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The political ambiguity surrounding the protests makes their impact harder to gauge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, part of what appealed to the judges, they said, was the moral ambiguity surrounding the "what's-its-name".

The Guardian - Books

There is ambiguity surrounding everything that happens in the game, because the game is a patchwork of cloudy, unstable memories.

The Guardian - Tech

But there is at least a little post-Communist ambiguity surrounding the two other men in the swap.

The New York Times

Equally significant is the proposed creation of a charity regulation authority, which will remove the ambiguity surrounding the charity commission's current dual roles as both regulator and advisor.

The Guardian

This article was amended on 21 January to clear up ambiguity surrounding changes made to London buses when Ken Livingstone was mayor.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a statement, the Greater New York Hospital Association and 1199 United Healthcare Workers East said they were "troubled by the enormous ambiguity surrounding the financial impact on New York hospitals" of proposals in the budget.

The New York Times

"I think the glaring question and ambiguity surrounding the market is when the economy is going to bottom," said Brian G. Belski, a market strategist at US Bancorp Piper Jaffray.

The New York Times

The ambiguity surrounding modern perceptions of the missionaries is captured in a painting, "The Double Face of Colonialism," which depicts a white man wearing a clerical collar and a cowboy hat, carrying both a Bible and a gun.

The New York Times

Apparently, a new West End production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (starring the cute-as-pie Anna Friel) has none of the ambiguity surrounding Holly's profession that the film version had.

The New Yorker

The ambiguity surrounding Walsh's status is creating unease among some Knicks officials and employees, who revere the New York-born Walsh for saving the franchise from the humiliation of the Isiah Thomas era.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ambiguity surrounding", ensure the context clearly indicates what the ambiguity refers to. Avoid vague references to ensure clarity for your audience.

Common error

While "ambiguity surrounding" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "uncertainty concerning" or "lack of clarity regarding" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambiguity surrounding" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun. It describes the state of being unclear or having multiple interpretations related to that noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ambiguity surrounding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a lack of clarity or uncertainty. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's essential to ensure the context clearly defines what the ambiguity refers to and to vary your language to avoid overuse in formal settings. Related phrases include "uncertainty concerning" and "lack of clarity about", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. The phrase is prevalent in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, solidifying its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertainty concerning

Replaces "ambiguity" with "uncertainty" and "surrounding" with "concerning", focusing on the lack of sureness.

vagueness regarding

Substitutes "ambiguity" with "vagueness" and "surrounding" with "regarding", highlighting a lack of specificity.

lack of clarity about

Replaces "ambiguity surrounding" with a more direct expression of unclear information.

confusion concerning

Uses "confusion" to replace "ambiguity", emphasizing the state of being perplexed or unclear.

unclear situation involving

Highlights the lack of clarity in a particular context, using broader terms.

obscurity enveloping

Replaces "ambiguity" with "obscurity" and "surrounding" with "enveloping" which suggests something is hidden or not easily understood.

doubt pertaining to

Focuses on the element of doubt rather than ambiguity, altering the emphasis slightly.

indistinctness concerning

Emphasizes the lack of distinct boundaries or clear definition.

opacity shrouding

Uses "opacity" to suggest that something is difficult to see through or understand.

fuzziness around

Replaces "ambiguity" with "fuzziness" for a less formal, more descriptive term.

FAQs

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

Use "ambiguity surrounding" to describe situations where there's a lack of clarity or uncertainty. For instance, "The ambiguity surrounding the new policy created confusion among employees."

What can I say instead of "ambiguity surrounding"?

You can use alternatives like "uncertainty concerning", "vagueness regarding", or "lack of clarity about" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "ambiguity surrounding" or "uncertainty surrounding"?

Both "ambiguity surrounding" and "uncertainty surrounding" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Ambiguity" suggests a lack of clear definition, while "uncertainty" highlights a lack of sureness.

What's the difference between "ambiguity surrounding" and "confusion concerning"?

"Ambiguity surrounding" implies a lack of clarity or multiple possible interpretations, while "confusion concerning" suggests a state of being perplexed or unable to understand something clearly. They are related, but "confusion" emphasizes the mental state resulting from the ambiguity.