ambiguous wording

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambiguous wording" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to language that is unclear or open to multiple interpretations. Example: "The contract contained ambiguous wording that led to confusion between the parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

But ambiguous wording in the directions sent Mr. Campbell far past his destination.

The New York Times - Tech

When transposing EU directives into national laws, local lobbies will often push for some ambiguous wording to be used.

The Economist

Indeed, the ambiguous wording of the terms for the review seems designed to ensure that nothing actually changes before 2013.

The Economist

When the White House issued an initial statement on settlements last week, some analysts read its ambiguous wording as leaving Israel plenty of room for maneuvering.

The New York Times

Their initiative relies upon the ambiguous wording of article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, which sets out how states could leave the EU.

The Guardian

But the lack of detail provided by Nunes, and the ambiguous wording he used in his public appearances to describe the materials, made it hard to determine whether there was any violation.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Target sentences included an ambiguous word, the ambiguity of which was not resolved within the clause.

Schizophrenia Research

In contrast, an ambiguous word bears its ambiguity directly—simply in virtue of having multiple meanings.

SEP

Research on the processing of lexical ambiguity has produced robust evidence that ambiguous words are processed differently from unambiguous ones.

Lingua Sinica

Factors such as the timing desynchronization between the prime and the target, ambiguity types, word lengths, and the syntactic categories of the ambiguous words, however, varied across studies.

Lingua Sinica

'Naturalist' is an ambiguous word.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting contracts or legal documents, avoid "ambiguous wording" by defining key terms and using precise language to prevent future disputes.

Common error

Ensure that the surrounding context clarifies the intended meaning, as relying solely on isolated sentences with "ambiguous wording" can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambiguous wording" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "ambiguous" modifies the noun "wording". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. This is supported by examples where it acts as a subject or object, describing the nature of language used in various documents or statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambiguous wording" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that refers to language lacking clarity and open to multiple interpretations. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Found frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, the phrase is used to critique, analyze, or warn against potential misunderstandings. To avoid such issues, use precise language and define key terms. As an alternative, consider using phrases like ""vague phrasing"" or ""unclear language"". Always ensure that surrounding context provides sufficient clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague phrasing

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the way something is expressed.

unclear language

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding the language used.

vague language

It speaks to a general and nonspecific quality of the language used, similar to "vague phrasing".

equivocal expression

Highlights the open to interpretation nature of the expression.

indefinite statement

Stresses the lack of precise boundaries or details in the statement.

dubious articulation

Implies a sense of uncertainty or doubt in how something is expressed.

imprecise language

Focuses on the lack of exactness in the choice of words.

nebulous description

Highlights the hazy and ill-defined nature of the description.

obscure formulation

Emphasizes that the formulation is hidden, not easily discovered or understood.

double meaning

Refers to something that can be understood in two different ways.

FAQs

How to rewrite a sentence with "ambiguous wording"?

To rewrite a sentence with "ambiguous wording", identify the unclear terms or phrases and replace them with more precise and specific language. Providing context or examples can also help clarify the intended meaning.

What are some synonyms for "ambiguous wording"?

Some synonyms for "ambiguous wording" include "vague phrasing", "unclear language", and "equivocal expression".

Why is it important to avoid "ambiguous wording" in legal documents?

Avoiding "ambiguous wording" in legal documents is crucial because it can lead to misinterpretations, disputes, and potential legal challenges. Clear and precise language ensures that all parties understand their rights and obligations.

What is the difference between "ambiguous wording" and "vague language"?

"Ambiguous wording" refers to language that has multiple possible interpretations, while "vague language" lacks clarity or precision. Ambiguity implies multiple meanings, while vagueness implies a lack of definition.