ambiguous answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambiguous answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that is unclear or open to multiple interpretations. Example: "The politician's statement was an ambiguous answer that left many voters confused about his stance on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Joel falls silent, trying to work out Martin's ambiguous answer.

The Guardian - Travel

Asked if he had been briefed on the attack he gave an ambiguous answer.

The Telegraph

The court had been widely expected to give an ambiguous answer.

The Economist

The writer and director, Brad Bird, offered a less ambiguous answer in an interview.

The New York Times

He had been asked the same question last Friday and, once again, he gave an ambiguous answer.

The Guardian - Sport

For right now, it is probably best to treat the question of whether a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage as having an ambiguous answer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Their evasive, ambiguous answers shocked me again.

The New Yorker

Past studies have given ambiguous answers to these questions, largely due to inadequate data.

Stanford University

She gives ambiguous answers about whether she expects a second novel to appear.

The Guardian - Books

A study presented at the most recent annual conference of the American College of Sports Medicine provides some provocative if ambiguous answers.

The New York Times

After giving seemingly ambiguous answers to several questions, the judge told Diamond he was "coming across as evasive".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for transparency, avoid crafting an "ambiguous answer". Instead, focus on direct and clear communication to prevent misunderstandings.

Common error

Do not assume your audience will interpret an "ambiguous answer" as you intend. Even if the ambiguity is intentional, consider providing some context or clarification to guide their understanding and prevent unintended interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambiguous answer" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "ambiguous" modifies the noun "answer". It describes the quality of the answer, indicating that it is not clear or precise. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ambiguous answer" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a response that is unclear or open to multiple interpretations. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase appears frequently in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When aiming for clear communication, it's best to avoid providing an "ambiguous answer". If ambiguity is necessary, ensure the audience understands the context. Alternative phrases like "vague response" or "unclear reply" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague response

Replaces "answer" with "response", emphasizing the lack of clarity.

unclear reply

Substitutes both "ambiguous" and "answer" to denote a lack of clearness in the response.

evasive answer

Highlights the intent to avoid a direct or straightforward response.

equivocal response

Uses a more formal term to describe a response that is open to multiple interpretations.

uncertain answer

Indicates a lack of certainty or definiteness in the provided answer.

indefinite response

Similar to "uncertain", but emphasizes the lack of specific boundaries or limits.

double meaning response

Highlights the response could have a second, different meaning.

opaque statement

Shifts from an answer to a statement, emphasizing its lack of transparency or easy understanding.

nebulous reply

Emphasizes the haziness and lack of sharp definition in the response.

obfuscated response

Highlights the act of making the response unclear or unintelligible.

FAQs

How can I use "ambiguous answer" in a sentence?

You can use "ambiguous answer" to describe a response that is unclear or open to multiple interpretations. For example, "The politician's statement was an ambiguous answer that left many voters confused."

What can I say instead of "ambiguous answer"?

You can use alternatives like "vague response", "unclear reply", or "evasive answer" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to give an "ambiguous answer"?

Giving an "ambiguous answer" might be appropriate when you need to avoid a direct commitment, when the situation requires diplomacy, or when you don't have enough information to provide a definitive response. However, consider potential misinterpretations.

What is the difference between "ambiguous answer" and "contradictory answer"?

An "ambiguous answer" is unclear and open to multiple interpretations, while a "contradictory answer" presents conflicting or opposing statements. An ambiguous answer lacks clarity, but a contradictory answer contains opposing ideas.