clear ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear ambiguity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is not vague or unclear. For example: "The judge's instructions to the jury made the information's purpose and meaning clear, removing any clear ambiguity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Owing to this clear ambiguity, the present compilation retains only the inclination from Malta. Figure 3 exhibits together the 41 historical geomagnetic directions discussed above.

Earth, Planets and Space

There is clear ambiguity around clinicians' understanding and beliefs of women's autonomy and the rights of the fetus.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This article was amended on 21 January to clear up ambiguity surrounding changes made to London buses when Ken Livingstone was mayor.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the lessons of both cases are quite clear: Any ambiguity in an advance notice by-law will be interpreted against the company and in favor of the stockholder.

The New York Times

Therefore, the use of three sensors can help clear the ambiguity by providing fewer intersections of three circles.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Federal investigators saw the Leahy anthrax as an opportunity to clear up ambiguities and deepen the analysis.

The New York Times

Mr. Barak, who said he had advised his associates to operate legally, said he welcomed the investigation as a way to clear up ambiguities in the election law.

The New York Times

We hope the two sides can reach an agreement and draw up a new framework to answer [IAEA] questions and clear up ambiguities," the Iranian foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, told local media at the weekend.

The Guardian

However, the SEC should clear up ambiguities and ensure that all stakeholders are taken into account in providing guidance on its implementation.

TechCrunch

Evil-revivalists believe that because the concept of evil is harmful or dangerous more philosophical work needs to be done on it to clear up ambiguities and reduce the likelihood of abuse or misuse.

SEP

It is not always clear what kind ambiguity is at stake, or even if there is any ambiguity at all (Grice's theory of implicatures and his Ockham's modified razor had a great impact on this issue).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision in technical or legal writing, using "clear ambiguity" can emphasize the direct elimination of any potential for multiple interpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "clear ambiguity" in casual conversation; simpler phrases like "make it clear" or "explain fully" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clear ambiguity" is to act as a descriptive phrase, indicating the absence of vagueness or the state of being easily understood. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase suggests a direct and decisive removal of any potential for misunderstanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear ambiguity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the absence of vagueness. While Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct, its usage is relatively rare. This analysis, supported by a limited number of examples predominantly from scientific and news media sources, suggests it suits formal contexts where precision is crucial. For more casual communication, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. When aiming for precise and direct communication, particularly in technical or legal settings, consider using "clear ambiguity" to highlight the removal of any potential misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate vagueness

Focuses on removing the quality of being vague rather than ambiguity itself.

resolve uncertainty

Highlights the act of finding a solution to a state of being uncertain.

clarify the vagueness

Similar to "clear ambiguity" but emphasizes the process of making something vague more understandable.

remove obscurity

Shifts the focus to eliminating what is not easily understood.

define precisely

Emphasizes providing an exact definition to overcome ambiguity.

establish clarity

Focuses on creating a state of clearness and understanding.

make definite

Highlights the act of making something specific and without doubt.

disambiguate

A more technical term for removing ambiguity.

elucidate the confusion

Focuses on clearing up confusion, which is a consequence of ambiguity.

iron out uncertainties

Idiomatic expression indicating the removal of small uncertainties to achieve clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "clear ambiguity" in a sentence?

You can use "clear ambiguity" to indicate the removal of any vagueness from a statement or situation. For example: "The judge's instructions to the jury served to "clear ambiguity" regarding the law."

What are some alternatives to "clear ambiguity"?

Alternatives include "eliminate vagueness", "resolve uncertainty", or "establish clarity", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "clear ambiguity" formal or informal?

"Clear ambiguity" tends to be more formal and suitable for technical, legal, or academic contexts. In informal situations, simpler phrases are generally preferred.

What's the difference between "clear ambiguity" and "clear up ambiguity"?

"Clear ambiguity" directly refers to the state of lacking ambiguity, whereas "clear up ambiguity" implies a process of removing or resolving existing ambiguity. The latter suggests action to remove a pre-existing state of vagueness.