ambivalent stance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambivalent stance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position or attitude that has mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about a particular issue or topic. Example: "Her ambivalent stance on climate change reflects her concerns about economic impacts while also recognizing the need for environmental action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Since the Disney people are notorious control freaks, the show's ambivalent stance can itself be counted a curatorial achievement.

The New York Times - Arts

That ambivalent stance, he said, has led to inconsistent regulatory actions that are prone to political pressure and have hurt long-term market confidence.

The New York Times

Appalachia hardly has a monopoly on this ambivalent stance ("Portnoy's Complaint," anyone?), but it is a source of near-constant joking at the Folk School.

The New York Times - Travel

He maintained the ambivalent stance he has all year - neither in, nor out - in a way that has merely stoked the speculation and aroused further curiosity.

The Guardian

Strachey's ironic tone and ambivalent stance toward his subjects, who included Cardinal Manning and Florence Nightingale, was a radical departure from the idealizing and airbrushing principles that held sway until he came along.

The New York Times - Books

In the wake of a survey of the top 25 global PR firms by the Guardian and the Climate Investigations Center, released 4 August, the company scrambled to revise its ambivalent stance on representing companies that deny climate change.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Christian leaders have taken similarly ambivalent stances: the Catholic Church has long supported the project, though recently Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne, has been more cautious: when asked if he was afraid of the mosque, he said, "I don't want to say I'm afraid, but I have an uneasy feeling".

Wikipedia

Their ambivalent wartime stance between supporting the nationalistic ideology and subjecting it to a pluralistic and world-historical critique in other words, their attempt to walk a razor's edge of "cooperative resistance"—ironically earned the Kyoto School a suspect reputation in Japan both before and after the end of the war.

SEP

This ambivalent posture allowed India to continue its traditional stance of urging nuclear disarmament, while at the same time signaling that the military path was available to it if the situation warranted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His stance remains ambivalent, though more puzzled.

The Guardian - Books

Mussorgsky's stance is occasionally ambivalent.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "ambivalent stance" provides a nuanced way to describe a position that is neither fully supportive nor completely opposed to a particular issue.

Common error

While "ambivalent stance" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or academic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "mixed feelings" or "not sure" when speaking with friends or family.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambivalent stance" functions as a noun phrase, where "ambivalent" modifies the noun "stance". According to Ludwig, this usage is both correct and appropriate in formal writing. It is employed to describe a position or attitude that is characterized by mixed or conflicting feelings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ambivalent stance" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a position characterized by mixed or conflicting feelings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. While effective in conveying nuance, it may be too formal for casual conversation. When seeking alternatives, consider "equivocal position", "uncertain attitude", or "mixed feelings" depending on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equivocal position

Replaces "stance" with "position", emphasizing a lack of decisiveness.

uncertain attitude

Substitutes "ambivalent" with "uncertain" and "stance" with "attitude", highlighting a lack of clarity or confidence.

mixed feelings

Replaces "ambivalent stance" with a direct expression of having contradictory emotions.

conflicted viewpoint

Suggests an internal struggle between opposing ideas, using "viewpoint" instead of "stance".

undecided posture

Replaces "ambivalent" with "undecided" and "stance" with "posture", focusing on a lack of resolution.

hesitant approach

Implies a cautious and uncertain way of dealing with something, replacing "stance" with "approach".

wavering commitment

Emphasizes the fluctuating nature of dedication or support, swapping "stance" for "commitment".

tenuous position

Uses "tenuous" to describe a weak or unstable viewpoint.

nuanced perspective

Highlights a subtle and complex point of view, implying a balance of different considerations.

guarded outlook

Suggests caution and restraint in expressing an opinion, changing "stance" to "outlook".

FAQs

How can I use "ambivalent stance" in a sentence?

You can use "ambivalent stance" to describe someone's mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about a particular issue. For example, "The politician took an "ambivalent stance" on the proposed legislation, acknowledging both its potential benefits and drawbacks."

What are some alternatives to saying "ambivalent stance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "equivocal position", "uncertain attitude", or "mixed feelings".

Is it better to say "ambivalent stance" or "uncertain stance"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "ambivalent stance" implies a deeper conflict of emotions or ideas, while "uncertain stance" simply suggests a lack of clarity or confidence.

What does it mean to have an "ambivalent stance" on a topic?

Having an "ambivalent stance" means that you hold mixed or contradictory feelings about the topic. You might see both the positive and negative aspects, making it difficult to take a firm position.