becoming uncertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming uncertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or feeling where clarity or confidence is diminishing over time. Example: "As the deadline approached, I found myself becoming uncertain about my ability to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Things are becoming uncertain".

The New York Times - Tech

D. F. Manley: Summer becoming uncertain – Scottish politician for secession hard to deal with (anag. less Ming (Campbell)).

The Guardian

His playing changed in the 1940s, becoming uncertain, but this lessened in the 1950s & he made a startling recording for Victor in 1957.

The New Yorker

In light of the recent biomarker studies that indicate Aβ levels are at their most dynamic 5 10 years before the onset of clinical symptoms, it is becoming uncertain whether direct approaches to target Aβ will achieve desired clinical efficacy.

Advances in Pharmacology

There were also non-critical changes that could be either: (1) a non-hostile or an uncertain aircraft changing speed and/or direction; (2) a non-hostile aircraft becoming uncertain; and (3) a non-hostile aircraft becoming an uncertain and changing speed and/or direction.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

If you'd stopped the film at around the midpoint and asked my opinion, I'd have said I thoroughly enjoyed the first half-hour, and was becoming uncertain about the subsequent scenes yet still held out hope it would return to finer form in the second half.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Bosnia's future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Profits are not only shrinking but also becoming more uncertain.

Harvard Business Review

With the economy souring and gasoline prices soaring, business prospects are becoming increasingly uncertain.

The New York Times

This nation can no longer expect to grow by retaining talent attracted to colleges and universities from abroad, as other nations are offering foreign students much broader opportunities and U.S. immigration policies are becoming more uncertain.

Stanford University

With markets becoming more uncertain about oil, interest rates and terrorism, and with many hedge funds all betting the same way, piling debt on top of debt looks like a risky game.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becoming uncertain" to describe a gradual shift in confidence or stability, rather than a sudden change. For instance, "The project's success was becoming uncertain as deadlines slipped."

Common error

Avoid using "becoming uncertain" when you mean something is already completely uncertain. "Becoming uncertain" implies a process, not a static state. Use "uncertain" for the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming uncertain" functions as a verb phrase, specifically using the progressive aspect of the verb 'become' to describe a state that is gradually changing towards uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "becoming uncertain" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a gradual shift towards uncertainty. Ludwig AI indicates that it's suitable for expressing a decline in confidence or stability across various contexts including news, science, and business. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent and effective for conveying a process of increasing doubt. When using the phrase, ensure that it appropriately reflects a transition rather than a static state of uncertainty. Consider alternatives like "growing doubtful" or "turning questionable" to fine-tune the specific nuance you intend to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing doubtful

This alternative highlights the increasing feeling of doubt.

turning questionable

This suggests that something is increasingly seen as not trustworthy.

getting precarious

This emphasizes the increasing instability and risk involved.

appearing unstable

This focuses on the outward signs of instability.

seeming insecure

This indicates a growing lack of confidence or safety.

progressing toward doubt

This emphasizes the ongoing movement towards a state of doubt.

inclining toward uncertainty

This suggests a lean or tendency towards a state of uncertainty.

rendering ambiguous

This focuses on the act of making something unclear.

developing ambiguity

Highlights the emergence of ambiguity.

destabilizing into doubt

Emphasizes the loss of stability leading to a state of doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "becoming uncertain" in a sentence?

Use "becoming uncertain" to indicate a gradual decrease in certainty or confidence. For example, "His chances of winning were "becoming uncertain" as the race progressed".

What are some alternatives to "becoming uncertain"?

You can use alternatives like "growing doubtful", "turning questionable", or "getting precarious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "becoming uncertain" or "becoming more uncertain"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "becoming more uncertain" adds emphasis to the increasing nature of the uncertainty.

What's the difference between "becoming uncertain" and "being uncertain"?

"Becoming uncertain" describes a process of losing certainty over time, whereas "being uncertain" describes a current state of uncertainty. For instance, "The outcome is "becoming uncertain"" (process) versus "The outcome is uncertain" (state).