are completely opaque

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are completely opaque" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not transparent or clear, often in a metaphorical sense, such as ideas or information that are difficult to understand. Example: "The instructions provided by the company are completely opaque, leaving employees confused about their tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Those decisions are completely opaque.

The New York Times

"Friend suggestions, profiling for advertising, use of data gathered from like buttons and web pixels (also completely missing from "all your Facebook data"), and the newsfeed algorithm itself are completely opaque".

TechCrunch

Those are completely opaque, except maybe those by Spanish and French operators.

Huffington Post

He studies everything around him, but his expression, his internal thoughts and feelings about it all, are completely opaque".

Vice

The current laws "are completely opaque when it comes to the money companies spend to influence the public in order to get to the lawmakers," Balber said.

Los Angeles Times

Ukrainian protesters have been tearing down statues of Lenin for reasons that are completely opaque to many outside observers, while pro-Russian crowds have waived Russian and even Soviet flags and made dark claims about neo-Nazism.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The fees were completely opaque".

The New York Times

"The whole supply chain is completely opaque," Mr. Jochnick said.

The New York Times

And third, the operations of Mbada and the revenue generated by it has been completely opaque".

The Guardian - Business

Most of the movement was completely opaque: air pattings, shadow-boxing, arm juttings, freezes.

The New Yorker

Ludlam said on Tuesday: "The Australian government has tried to be completely opaque about this.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are completely opaque" when you want to emphasize that something is not just unclear, but entirely impossible to see through or understand, either literally or metaphorically.

Common error

While acceptable, "are completely opaque" can sometimes sound less formal in professional settings. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "lack transparency" or "are entirely unclear" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are completely opaque" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. It modifies a noun or noun phrase to indicate a lack of transparency or clarity, either literally or metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are completely opaque" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase that describes something lacking transparency or clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it effectively conveys that something is not easily understood, whether referring to abstract concepts like laws or processes, or physical properties. When writing, consider whether a more specific alternative like "unclear" or "ambiguous" might better suit the context, but generally, "are completely opaque" serves as a strong and versatile descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are entirely unclear

Replaces "completely opaque" with a focus on lack of clarity.

are totally ambiguous

Emphasizes the possibility of multiple interpretations.

are utterly incomprehensible

Highlights the difficulty in understanding.

are perfectly obscure

Indicates a deliberate attempt to hide or conceal.

are fully unintelligible

Focuses on the inability to be understood.

are deeply mysterious

Suggests an element of intrigue or enigma.

are virtually impenetrable

Emphasizes the difficulty in accessing or understanding.

are decidedly vague

Highlights the lack of specific details or clarity.

are remarkably cryptic

Suggests a hidden or encoded meaning.

are wholly inscrutable

Implies an inability to be interpreted or understood.

FAQs

How can I use "are completely opaque" in a sentence?

You can use "are completely opaque" to describe something that is not transparent or easily understood. For example: "The details of the agreement "are completely opaque", making it difficult to assess its fairness."

What are some alternatives to "are completely opaque"?

Some alternatives include "are entirely unclear", "are totally ambiguous", or "are utterly incomprehensible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "are completely opaque" or "are entirely opaque"?

Both "are completely opaque" and "are entirely opaque" are grammatically correct and very similar in meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

What's the difference between "are completely opaque" and "are completely transparent"?

"Are completely opaque" means something is impossible to see through or understand, while "are completely transparent" means something is easily seen through or understood.