as ambiguous as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as ambiguous as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unclear or open to multiple interpretations. Example: "The instructions were as ambiguous as a riddle, leaving everyone confused about what to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Science & Media

Opinion

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is hardly surprising that the president would react differently to a crisis in each country.Update: Commenter Flavio44 says the constitution is about as "ambiguous as a brick", and cites what he sees to be the relevant article in the constitution.Any citizen who has [previously] acted as chief of the executive branch is forbidden from [again] acting or being designated as president.

The Economist

Distinguishing which health events pose international health threats is at times as ambiguous as a Davis painting, and therefore, implementation of the International Health Regulations has not yet realized its full potential.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In this study we excluded lobular carcinomas as ambiguous, as well as tumours from noncarriers in the BRCA1/ BRCA2 families and tumour from patients for whom no representative tumour tissue was available on the TMA arrays.

Breast Cancer Research

Likes, in many ways, are as ambiguous as an old-school Facebook Poke.

TechCrunch

Turkish officials talk about transforming the region into something akin to the American-Mexican border, a frontier as ambiguous as any line on a map is precise.

The New York Times

Jason Epstein, writing in the New York Review of Books, showed how questionable it was to make a hero out of a figure as ambiguous as Oskar Schindler, and to tell a heartwarming story of a few thousand saved rather than the millions murdered.

The Guardian

The biggest announcement was probably a goal that's as ambiguous as it is ambitious: a call for the United States to spend 3% or more of its gross domestic product on research and development.

Science Magazine

The public mood appears to be as ambiguous as the political currents, a mix of fear of terrorist or Iraqi attacks and giddiness over the possibility that the menacing shadow that Mr. Hussein has cast for the past 12 years might finally be lifted.

The New York Times

As it lifts and pivots through the action its purpose is as ambiguous as the plot, serving one moment as a conventional window, the next as the surface of a lake.

The Guardian - Music

They weren't even allowed to speak to me!" Rumours circled him because he was such a defiantly outlandish presence: the pop star as inexplicable alien, with a sexuality as ambiguous as it was voracious, and so unsettlingly potent that the censorship lobby PMRC was spurred into existence by a single song, Darling Nikki.

The Guardian - Music

Neither welcomed nor dismissed, he has a series of encounters with the sly, suspicious feudal peasantry, all masterfully told, and by processes of ambiguous deduction from their evasions and silences advances towards a goal assumed to be worth attaining, but for reasons as ambiguous as the processes of his advance.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as ambiguous as a", ensure the comparison object is widely understood. For example, "as ambiguous as a dream" is effective because dreams are commonly recognized as unclear and open to interpretation.

Common error

Do not use "as ambiguous as a" with abstract or obscure comparisons. For instance, "as ambiguous as a quantum state" might confuse readers unfamiliar with quantum physics, undermining the phrase's intent to convey uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as ambiguous as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by likening its ambiguity to that of another entity. This comparison serves to emphasize the extent and nature of the ambiguity. Ludwig confirms the acceptability and correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

25%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Books

10%

Science & Research

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as ambiguous as a" serves as a potent tool for emphasizing a lack of clarity or multiple possible interpretations. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and the Arts. The key to effective usage lies in selecting a comparison object that resonates with your audience, ensuring that the ambiguity is amplified rather than obscured. While alternatives like "just as vague as" or "equally unclear as" exist, "as ambiguous as a" provides a specific comparative quality that can be particularly impactful. Understanding its register, avoiding vague comparisons, and capitalizing on its comparative strength will empower writers to harness its full potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as vague as

Replaces "ambiguous" with "vague", emphasizing a lack of clarity or precision.

equally unclear as

Substitutes "ambiguous" with "unclear", highlighting a lack of understanding.

as uncertain as

Uses "uncertain" instead of "ambiguous", focusing on the lack of certainty or predictability.

as doubtful as

Employs "doubtful" to suggest skepticism or disbelief, conveying a similar sense of ambiguity.

as dubious as

Replaces with "dubious", implying uncertainty and suspicion about the true meaning or nature.

as indistinct as

Changes "ambiguous" to "indistinct", referring to a lack of clear boundaries or definition.

as ill-defined as

Uses "ill-defined" to emphasize the lack of specific or precise characteristics.

as nebulous as

Replaces with "nebulous", meaning vague, cloudy, or ill-defined.

as equivocal as

Substitutes with "equivocal", focusing on language that is open to multiple interpretations and often used to mislead.

just as cryptic as

Changes with "cryptic", indicating something mysterious or difficult to decipher.

FAQs

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

Use "as ambiguous as a" to describe something lacking clarity or open to multiple interpretations. For example, "The politician's statement was "as ambiguous as a" riddle, leaving the audience unsure of their stance".

What is a good alternative to "as ambiguous as a"?

Alternatives include phrases like "just as vague as", "equally unclear as", or "as uncertain as", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "as ambiguous as a" or "very ambiguous"?

While "very ambiguous" is simpler, "as ambiguous as a" adds a comparative element that can be more descriptive. The better choice depends on the desired tone and level of detail. If you want to provide a comparison, then using "as ambiguous as a" can be more effective.

What does it mean when something is described as "as ambiguous as a"?

It means the subject is unclear, uncertain, or open to multiple interpretations. The comparison helps to highlight the degree of ambiguity, suggesting it's similar to something else known for its lack of clarity.