are not clearly defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not clearly defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, terms, or parameters that lack precise or explicit definitions. Example: "The roles and responsibilities of team members are not clearly defined, leading to confusion in project execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The volunteers have no enforcement powers; their duties are not clearly defined.

The New York Times

In many jurisdictions the precise contents of the doctrine are not clearly defined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There is a real threat when things are not clearly defined," she said in an interview.

The New York Times

Mr. Tang's powers relative to the president's are not clearly defined, and he has lately been suffering complications from surgery.

The New York Times

Most concepts used in everyday language, such as "high temperature," "round face," or "aquatic animal," are not clearly defined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The limitations, however, are not clearly defined.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

Non-governmental organisations are not clearly defined in Russian law.

BBC

The occurrence and mechanisms of nocturnal hypoxemia in precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) are not clearly defined.

Chest

The mechanisms that affect fetal development in pregnancies complicated by asthma are not clearly defined.

Clinical Nutrition

The boundaries between learning, gaming, simulating or role-playing are not clearly defined.

Computers in Human Behavior

The optimal treatment strategy and surgical indications for NLC rupture are not clearly defined.

Surgical Case Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not clearly defined", ensure that the context clarifies what aspects lack definition. This prevents ambiguity and guides the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "are not clearly defined" without specifying why something lacks clarity. Provide context to show the implications of the undefined nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not clearly defined" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that certain concepts, boundaries, or parameters lack precise or explicit definitions. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to highlight ambiguity or a lack of clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not clearly defined" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a lack of precision or explicitness in definitions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in science and news media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context regarding what lacks definition to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "are not explicitly defined" or "lack clear definitions" can be used for stylistic variation. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of its usage, common errors, and suitable contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not explicitly defined

Replaces "clearly" with "explicitly", emphasizing a lack of direct or stated definition.

are not clearly specified

Employs "specified" in place of "defined", underscoring a lack of detailed or explicit instructions.

are not clearly delineated

Uses "delineated" instead of "defined", stressing a lack of distinct boundaries or outlines.

lack clear definitions

Changes the structure to a verb-object format, emphasizing the absence of clear definitions.

are not clearly determined

Substitutes "defined" with "determined", focusing on a lack of established certainty or resolution.

are not clearly identified

Replaces "defined" with "identified", highlighting a lack of recognition or specification.

are not clearly described

Replaces "defined" with "described", indicating a lack of detailed explanation or portrayal.

are not clearly differentiated

Uses "differentiated" to suggest a lack of distinction between items.

remain ambiguous

Uses a more concise phrasing, indicating that something remains unclear or open to interpretation.

are subject to interpretation

Indicates that the definitions rely on personal understanding of the reader.

FAQs

How to use "are not clearly defined" in a sentence?

Use "are not clearly defined" to indicate a lack of precision or explicit boundaries. For example: "The selection criteria "are not clearly defined", leading to inconsistent application of the rules."

What can I say instead of "are not clearly defined"?

You can use alternatives such as "are not explicitly defined", "lack clear definitions", or "remain ambiguous" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "are not clearly defined"?

It's appropriate when discussing concepts, roles, responsibilities, or parameters that lack precise or explicit definitions, leading to potential confusion or misinterpretation.

What is the difference between "are not clearly defined" and "are not clearly understood"?

"Are not clearly defined" indicates a lack of explicit definition, while "are not clearly understood" suggests a lack of comprehension, even if a definition exists. The first refers to the definition itself, the second to the understanding of the definition.