clear ambivalence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear ambivalence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes that are distinctly evident. Example: "Her response to the proposal was marked by clear ambivalence, as she expressed both enthusiasm and hesitation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But a closer look at the facts of Ms. Rice's life suggests a clear ambivalence about notions of collective identity and the significance of race-based remedies for discrimination.

The New York Times

'But very rarely does the carer come because they might feel they are a burden or something and they don't realise they can.' There was sometimes clear ambivalence about proactively supporting carers.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They work best when pinned to clear ambivalences -- the tragicomic or the bittersweet.

The New York Times - Books

It is clear that ambivalence and hostility also exist over Jewish immigration in a German population whose full range of feelings over the new arrivals is unknown for the simple reason that they have never been consulted.

The New York Times

A series of cables going back over the past two years highlights the Polish eagerness to try to draw the US military, Nato assets, and possibly military bases into Poland, and a clear US ambivalence and wariness, sparking furious rows and mutual exasperation.

The Guardian

It was not clear whether this ambivalence about pregnancy prevention was because of infrequent sexual activity as suggested by a study among women from the USA [ 26], inability to plan and control the next sexual encounter or fear of losing the new partners.

BMC Infectious Diseases

His ambivalence was clear.

The New Yorker

This terrible ambivalence made clear that dealing with loss begins with confronting what has been lost; seeing their bodies is believing them dead.

The New York Times

The preference seems to be to expand overseas, but the family's ambivalence is clear.

Forbes

But the administration's ambivalence is clear.

Huffington Post

Their ambivalence was clear during this segment of the Beet.TV Online Video Roundtable in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear ambivalence" to accurately describe situations where mixed feelings or conflicting attitudes are easily perceived. It's effective for conveying internal conflict that is outwardly visible.

Common error

Avoid using "clear ambivalence" when the feelings are subtle or nuanced. The phrase implies that the conflicting emotions are easily noticeable, so it's not suitable for describing hidden or barely perceptible internal conflicts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear ambivalence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "clear" modifies the noun "ambivalence". As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a situation where conflicting attitudes are readily apparent. The examples in Ludwig showcase its use in describing readily noticeable mixed feelings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear ambivalence" is a noun phrase used to describe readily noticeable mixed or conflicting feelings. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and showcases its usage in contexts like news and scientific articles. While "clear ambivalence" itself is not very frequent, it effectively highlights a state of obvious, conflicting emotions. Alternative phrases such as "obvious uncertainty" or "evident indecision" can be used to express similar ideas. However, the best practice is to employ the expression when you are trying to emphasize that the mixed feeling are easily noticeable. When choosing the right expression for your context, be mindful that the key nuance of the expression is that the mixed feeling are really apparent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious uncertainty

Emphasizes the lack of certainty rather than the conflict of feelings.

evident indecision

Highlights the inability to decide, making the hesitation more prominent.

manifest conflict of feelings

Directly states the presence of conflicting emotions, making it very explicit.

unmistakable mixed feelings

Focuses on the combination of different emotions without a specific negative connotation.

apparent internal struggle

Suggests an inner battle, highlighting the internal aspect of the ambivalence.

noticeable wavering

Indicates a back-and-forth movement in thought or emotion, emphasizing instability.

distinct hesitation

Emphasizes pausing or reluctance, drawing attention to the delay in action or decision.

palpable tension

Focuses on the strained atmosphere caused by the conflicting feelings, adding a layer of intensity.

unconcealed doubt

Highlights the presence of uncertainty, making the lack of confidence clear.

pronounced reservation

Indicates a specific concern or qualification, making the reluctance more directed.

FAQs

What does "clear ambivalence" mean?

"Clear ambivalence" describes a situation where someone has mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes that are distinctly evident.

How can I replace "clear ambivalence" in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "obvious uncertainty" or "evident indecision" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "clear ambivalence" or "obvious ambivalence"?

Both "clear ambivalence" and "obvious ambivalence" are acceptable. The choice depends on personal preference, as they convey a similar meaning. However, examine available examples to see which suits your case better.

Can "clear ambivalence" be used to describe a positive situation?

While "ambivalence" often carries a slightly negative connotation due to its implication of conflict, "clear ambivalence" can be used in situations where mixed feelings exist without necessarily being negative, such as feeling both excitement and nervousness about a new opportunity.