ambiguous situations

USAGE SUMMARY

"ambiguous situations" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to situations that are unclear or uncertain and can be interpreted in different ways. Example: In the legal field, the interpretation of contracts often becomes complicated in ambiguous situations where the wording is open to multiple meanings.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Budner (1962) defines intolerance of ambiguity as "the tendency to perceive ambiguous situations as sources of threat" and tolerance of ambiguity as the tendency to "perceive ambiguous situations as desirable" [ 1].

BMC Family Practice

Tolerance of ambiguity, or the extent to which ambiguous situations are perceived as desirable, is an important component of the attitudes and behaviors of medical students.

BMC Family Practice

"The brain doesn't like ambiguous situations," Camerer said to me.

The New Yorker

The movie is about his judgment of ambiguous situations; he embodies survival itself.

The New Yorker

It also gave me enhanced respect for ambiguous situations, and increased wariness of simple answers.

The New York Times

When faced with ambiguous situations, most of us — quite humanly — want to run for the tantalizing veneer of the certain.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the military-justice system remains a step behind, with prosecutors often pursuing maximal charges against soldiers in ambiguous situations, only to drop or reduce charges later.

The New Yorker

Turkish-American social psychologist Muzafer Sherif's experiments on norm formation in the 1930s illustrated that in ambiguous situations people quickly form norms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to Sharon, people who are experts in their field are able to deal with complex and ambiguous situations, are commercially focused, comfortable about challenging the status quo and making a difference.

The Guardian

Interest in this case, as with many morally ambiguous situations, arises from a deeper concern about what kind of people we should be, and what kind of society we want to live in.

The Guardian - Opinion

Szalay has an unnerving ability to project us into those desperately ambiguous situations typical of the beginnings and endings of most of our relationships, and yet sustained throughout the whole of this one.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ambiguous situations" in your writing, provide specific examples to illustrate the lack of clarity or potential for multiple interpretations to ensure your audience understands the context.

Common error

Avoid using "ambiguous situations" as a vague placeholder. Instead, clearly define the source and nature of the ambiguity to provide more precise and impactful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambiguous situations" functions as a noun phrase, where 'ambiguous' modifies 'situations'. It often acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, describing scenarios that are unclear or open to multiple interpretations. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambiguous situations" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe scenarios lacking clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and common expression, appearing across diverse fields like science and news. The phrase serves to highlight potential for misinterpretation, prompting further analysis. For clear writing, provide specific examples of the ambiguity. Alternatives include "unclear circumstances" or "uncertain scenarios". While versatile, avoid using the phrase as a vague placeholder; specificity is key. By providing context, being precise, and avoiding generalization, you can utilize “ambiguous situations” effectively in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear circumstances

Focuses on the lack of clarity surrounding the circumstances.

uncertain scenarios

Highlights the uncertainty and hypothetical nature of the scenarios.

equivocal circumstances

Emphasizes the circumstances' open to different interpretations.

vague predicaments

Emphasizes the lack of definiteness and the potentially difficult nature of the situation.

indistinct contexts

Underscores the lack of clear distinction within the context.

obscure scenarios

Focuses on the hidden or unclear nature of the scenarios.

confusing circumstances

Highlights the perplexing and bewildering nature of the circumstances.

nebulous conditions

Emphasizes the hazy and ill-defined nature of the conditions.

murky situations

Focuses on the obscure and potentially unpleasant nature of the situations.

problematic ambiguities

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the ambiguities involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "ambiguous situations" to describe scenarios that lack clarity or have multiple possible interpretations. For example, "The contract contained several "ambiguous situations" that required legal clarification."

What are some alternatives to "ambiguous situations"?

Alternatives include "unclear circumstances", "uncertain scenarios", or "equivocal circumstances", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to avoid "ambiguous situations" in legal writing?

Yes, in legal writing, it's crucial to minimize "ambiguous situations" by using precise language and defining key terms to prevent misinterpretations.

How do people react to "ambiguous situations"?

Reactions to "ambiguous situations" vary; some may feel anxious or uncomfortable, while others might see them as opportunities for creativity and innovation.