ambiguous zone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambiguous zone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or area where meanings or interpretations are unclear or uncertain. Example: "The negotiations reached an ambiguous zone, making it difficult for both parties to agree on the terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Much of the time, therefore, we function in an ambiguous zone, without clear-cut answers.

The New York Times

Arguably, it looks very much shoulder-to-shoulder, but once again, it falls into an ambiguous zone where, as much as it might have been a clean hit, it borders on the kind of thing the league is looking to eliminate.

The Guardian - Sport

Then, once the first few shockwaves had passed, things would move into a less predictable, more ambiguous zone.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A survey to recover pen trajectories multiple approaches to recover drawing order as skeleton, contours, ambiguous zones detections and ambiguous zones analysis are discussed [17].

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Results show how ambiguous zones are precisely determined, how to determine the optimum scanner orientation and aperture, and how to reduce the number of readings per scan for improving the robot's computational load and navigation speed.

Expert Systems with Applications

This ambiguous twilight zone is a dangerous place nowadays for film-makers – noir can be so seductive it can easily slip into an exercise in retro detail.

The Guardian - Film

Such disembodied communication occupies an ambiguous middle zone.

Huffington Post

The scoring system recommended by Maurer-Stroh et al for the NMT Predictor [ 20] categorizes a large number of plant sequences (including some where myristoylation has been biochemically verified) into an ambiguous "twilight zone", where the algorithm is unable to distinguish positives from negatives.

BMC Genomics

Those epidemiological characteristics of relatively low (yet uncertain) severity and high transmission (especially in children) meant that the A(H1N1 pdm09 pandemic fell within the ambiguous or "grey" zone for scientific advisers and decision makers.

BMC Infectious Diseases

An ambiguous (or uncertainty) zone can be defined around a membership degree value of 0.5, representing those patients for which a low or high risk profile cannot be clearly associated, i.e. their molecular grade profile is really intermediate (see "gray rectangle" on Figure  2).

BMC Medical Genomics

The commonest self reported long-term health problems in this study could be explained by the socioeconomic environment in which migrant workers are living including working long hours under pressure, poor working and living conditions or being trapped in an ambiguous grey social zone.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ambiguous zone", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the zone ambiguous. Specify the factors contributing to the uncertainty or lack of clear definition.

Common error

Avoid using "ambiguous zone" without providing sufficient context. Ensure your audience understands why the zone is ambiguous and what implications this ambiguity carries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambiguous zone" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or verb. As evidenced by Ludwig, it identifies an area or situation characterized by uncertainty or a lack of clear definition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ambiguous zone" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes a situation or area lacking clear definition or certainty. As highlighted by Ludwig, this term appears in a range of contexts, from News & Media to Science, with a neutral register making it widely applicable. While not excessively frequent, its meaning is readily grasped. To enhance clarity, ensure adequate context accompanies its usage. Consider "uncertain area", "grey area", or "vague region" as alternative phrasing to add nuance. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase can be used to describe a situation or area where meanings or interpretations are unclear or uncertain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grey area

A common idiom that conveys a similar sense of uncertainty or lack of definition.

uncertain area

Replaces "ambiguous" with "uncertain", focusing on the lack of sureness or predictability.

vague region

Uses "vague" to emphasize the lack of clarity and "region" as a geographical or conceptual space.

unclear territory

Substitutes both words to highlight the lack of distinct boundaries or definitions.

ill-defined space

Focuses on the lack of clear boundaries or definition of the space or situation.

twilight zone

An idiomatic expression suggesting a state that is strange, surreal or not easily categorized.

indistinct realm

Emphasizes the lack of clear distinctions or boundaries within a particular area or domain.

fuzzy boundary

Highlights the lack of sharpness or clarity in the limits or borders.

murky situation

Moves beyond spatial terms to describe an unclear or confusing set of circumstances.

nebulous domain

Uses "nebulous" to suggest a hazy, indistinct quality of a particular field or area.

FAQs

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

You can use "ambiguous zone" to describe situations or areas where the interpretation is unclear or uncertain. For example, "The legal agreement entered an "ambiguous zone" regarding intellectual property rights."

What is another way to say "ambiguous zone"?

Alternatives to "ambiguous zone" include "uncertain area", "grey area", or "vague region". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ambiguous zone" a formal or informal expression?

"Ambiguous zone" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in analytical or descriptive writing. More casual language can be used in informal contexts.

What does it mean when something is in an "ambiguous zone"?

When something is in an "ambiguous zone", it means its nature, status, or interpretation is unclear. It lacks definitive categorization or understanding.