as unclear as the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as unclear as the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of clarity of something to another thing that is also unclear. Example: "The instructions were as unclear as the last set of guidelines we received."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But how it would work remained as unclear as the hazy prospect of a coalition government.

The New York Times

The cause of the Neanderthal disappearance remains as unclear as the exact evolutionary relationship between them and modern humans.

The New York Times - Science

The status of those is now as unclear as the ones Petraeus was supposed to testify at about Benghazi.

The New Yorker

Whether the uncertainty for investors and the markets will lift, or whether stocks will continue their decline, is as unclear as the muddled economic signals.

The New York Times

This was probably inevitable given that those who voted for it did so for a very wide range of reasons, and it is abundantly clear that the cabinet is about as unclear as the rest of us.

The Guardian

How such a system would work in practice remains as unclear as the ultimate ambitions of a Nigerian Army that has never stopped promising democracy but has ruled for all but 10 years since independence in 1960.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The consequences of seeing sex before having it are as unclear as those of Facebook's colonization of our leisure time.

The New Yorker

As unclear as this month's jobs report was in terms of telling an obvious story about the U.S. economy, when it comes to raising interest rates, it will suit the Federal Reserve just fine.

Huffington Post

Conflicts proliferated among experimenters who prized free communication and discussion, for intellectual property was as unclear as were the proper vehicles of publication.

The New York Times - Books

Despite world leaders committing themselves to defeating Isis, the way forward in Iraq and Syria appeared as unclear as ever amid the continuing stand-off between the US and Russia and fresh evidence that the self-declared "caliphate" is attracting ever greater numbers of foreign recruits.

Independent

Today it remains as unclear as ever: witness the inclusion of Edward Steichen's fashion, advertising and celebrity photography in his current retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as unclear as the" to draw a comparison between two things that lack clarity. Ensure the comparison enhances the reader's understanding of the situation, not further obscures it. For example, "The company's new policy was as unclear as the previous one, leaving employees just as confused."

Common error

Avoid using "as unclear as the" when the comparison is illogical or confusing. Make sure the reference point for the comparison is something genuinely unclear to avoid undermining your argument. For instance, avoid saying 'His explanation was as unclear as quantum physics' to someone unfamiliar with the subject; it's better to use a more relatable example.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as unclear as the" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to emphasize the lack of clarity of something by comparing it to another thing that is also known to be unclear. Ludwig AI validates the correct and usable nature of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as unclear as the" is a commonly used comparative phrase that emphasizes a lack of clarity by drawing a direct comparison to something else similarly ambiguous. As validated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using the phrase, make sure the comparison is logical and adds value to the reader's understanding. Remember that while the phrase itself is neutral, the specific reference point of the comparison influences the overall tone. Alternatives such as "as vague as the" or "as ambiguous as the" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as nebulous as the

Changes the adjective to 'nebulous', suggesting something is hazy or ill-defined.

as vague as the

Replaces 'unclear' with 'vague', indicating a lack of precision or detail.

as ambiguous as the

Substitutes 'unclear' with 'ambiguous', implying multiple possible interpretations.

as obscure as the

Replaces 'unclear' with 'obscure', suggesting something is hidden or not easily discovered.

as mysterious as the

Changes 'unclear' to 'mysterious', implying something is puzzling or difficult to understand.

as confused as the

Substitutes 'unclear' with 'confused', suggesting a state of disorder or lack of understanding.

as opaque as the

Replaces 'unclear' with 'opaque', implying something is difficult to see through or understand.

as unsure as the

Changes the adjective to 'unsure', highlighting a lack of confidence or certainty.

as fuzzy as the

Substitutes 'unclear' with 'fuzzy', indicating a lack of sharpness or definition.

as ill-defined as the

Replaces 'unclear' with 'ill-defined', emphasizing the lack of clear boundaries or limits.

FAQs

How can I use "as unclear as the" in a sentence?

Use "as unclear as the" to compare the clarity of a subject to something else that is equally unclear. For example, "The instructions were "as unclear as the" directions to a hidden speakeasy."

What's a good alternative to "as unclear as the"?

Alternatives include "as vague as the", "as ambiguous as the", or "as nebulous as the", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "as unclear as the" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the lack of clarity by drawing a direct comparison to another unclear subject. For example, "The plot of the movie was "as unclear as the" ending of 'Inception'."

Is "as unclear as the" a formal or informal expression?

"As unclear as the" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific subject it is compared to can affect the overall tone. For instance, comparing something to a scientific concept might make it more formal, while comparing it to a pop culture reference would be more informal.