ambiguous stances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambiguous stances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe positions or viewpoints that are unclear or open to multiple interpretations. Example: "The politician's ambiguous stances on key issues left voters confused about his true beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Instead, Republican leaders have taken ambiguous stances on the issue in the news media, avoiding the controversy or defending the policies, if not Mr. Obama's role in executing them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But many Austrian Jews have taken a somewhat ambiguous stance.

The New York Times

At one level, this is building on David Cameron's ambiguous stance on selection.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our country's interests are our top priorities … Any ambiguous stance over the country and national identity is intolerable".

The Guardian - Film

Caricom has settled into an ambiguous stance, not ruling out a role in the new security forces and deferring a decision on recognizing Haiti's government until July.

The New York Times

German commentators, for example, argue that nothing has hurt the Palestinian cause more than its strategy of terror and Yasir Arafat's ambiguous stance on the use of terror.

The New York Times

Like such other formerly radical Italian artists as Carlo Carrà and Gino Severini (and even the saintly still-life painter Giorgio Morandi), de Chirico maintained an ambiguous stance toward Italy's relatively permissive Fascist regime.

The New Yorker

A major player in the Labor Party and adept in the debating skills and acerbic repartee required to shine in Parliament, Mr. Cook maintained an ambiguous stance toward Mr. Blair in the latter years of his career.

The New York Times

It also presents a major challenge to the military-dominated regime in Algiers – still in the shadow of a decade of bloody civil war – which had been accused of having an ambiguous stance towards the Mali crisis.

The Guardian

She warned against an "ambiguous" stance by Islamist party Nahda and the centre-left CPR in the coalition towards street violence, hate speech and attacks which she said were going unchecked.

The Guardian

Many take a more ambiguous stance.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ambiguous stances", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the stances unclear. Provide specific examples or details to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "ambiguous stances" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, more precise language might be preferable depending on the context. Consider using synonyms such as "unclear positions" or "vague viewpoints" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ambiguous stances" is to act as a noun phrase, where "ambiguous" modifies the noun "stances". It describes the quality or characteristic of the stances being referred to. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ambiguous stances" is a grammatically correct way to describe positions or attitudes that lack clarity or are open to interpretation. Ludwig confirms its usability, while its usage is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media, and to a lesser extent in scientific and encyclopedic contexts, the phrase serves to convey uncertainty or a lack of definiteness. When employing "ambiguous stances", it's crucial to provide sufficient context to clarify the nature of the ambiguity. If a more direct and clear meaning is required consider using unclear positions or vague viewpoints, as these alternatives may improve precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear positions

Replaces "ambiguous" with "unclear", maintaining the focus on a lack of clarity.

vague viewpoints

Substitutes both words with near synonyms, emphasizing a lack of specificity.

equivocal attitudes

Uses more formal synonyms for both "ambiguous" and "stances", increasing the level of formality.

uncertain positions

Replaces "ambiguous" with "uncertain", highlighting the doubt associated with the stance.

indefinite attitudes

Uses "indefinite" to suggest a lack of defined limits or boundaries to the attitude.

ill-defined stances

Focuses on the lack of clear definition or outline of the stances.

tenuous positions

Suggests the stances are weak and easily challenged.

unresolved attitudes

Highlights the incompleteness and lack of finality of the attitudes.

open-ended viewpoints

Emphasizes that the viewpoints are not yet concluded and allow for future changes.

undecided opinions

Focuses on the lack of a firm decision or conclusion.

FAQs

What does "ambiguous stances" mean?

"Ambiguous stances" refers to positions or attitudes that are unclear, open to multiple interpretations, or lacking a definite commitment.

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

You can use "ambiguous stances" to describe a person's or group's position on an issue, for example: "The politician's "ambiguous stances" on key issues left voters confused."

What can I say instead of "ambiguous stances"?

You can use alternatives like "unclear positions", "vague viewpoints", or "equivocal attitudes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to have "ambiguous stances" or clear positions?

It depends on the context. Sometimes, maintaining "ambiguous stances" can be a strategic choice to avoid alienating certain groups. However, clear positions are generally preferable for transparency and building trust.