clear up uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear up uncertainty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to resolve doubts or clarify a situation that is ambiguous or unclear. Example: "The new policy was implemented to clear up uncertainty regarding employee benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mortgage bankers generally applauded the new regulations, saying that they clear up uncertainty that has hung over the home lending business since the financial crisis.

The New York Times

But he hopes that whatever happens will do two things: clear up uncertainty, fast, and keep Britain as close to Europe as is democratically possible.

The Guardian - Tech

The new regulations, if adopted, should clear up uncertainty for the companies in major cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The ministry said the policy would help foreign Internet companies and to clear up uncertainties over Korean place names.

The New York Times

PHILIP LEVY uses the occasion of "World Trade Week" to ponder the state of academic economist concern over free trade:[T]he very academic stars who might help to clear up uncertainties about trade imbalances are themselves stoking the skepticism.

The Economist

In another sign of progress on Thursday, Zarif said the head of the IAEA, Yukiya Amano, would visit Tehran on Monday, raising expectations of a breakthrough in long-running talks between the Iranian government and the agency aimed at clearing up uncertainty over Iran's past development work on nuclear weapons.

The Guardian

In another sign of progress, Zarif said the head of the IAEA, Yukiya Amano, would visit Tehran on Monday, raising expectations of a breakthrough in long-running talks between the Iranian government and the agency aimed at clearing up uncertainty over Iran's past development work on nuclear weapons.

The Guardian

She had one memorable training run of 26 miles, almost the marathon distance, and said it cleared up uncertainties.

The New York Times - Sports

They won't be supplying or paying for them, but the announcement itself clears up uncertainties for hotel owners who had been worried that by providing condoms they might be breaking antiprostitution laws.

The New York Times

In other words, it will be too late if we wait for all the risks and uncertainties to clear up.

Huffington Post

That reasonable arguments can be made for three different types of stocks will not clear up investors' uncertainty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear up uncertainty" when you want to indicate that a specific action or explanation is intended to remove ambiguity or confusion surrounding a situation or topic. For example, "The new guidelines are intended to clear up uncertainty about the company's remote work policy."

Common error

While "clear up uncertainty" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat formal in very casual settings. In informal conversations, consider using simpler alternatives like "sort things out" or "figure it out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear up uncertainty" functions as a phrasal verb where 'clear up' acts as the verb and 'uncertainty' as the object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's used to describe the action of removing ambiguity or doubt.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear up uncertainty" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the act of removing ambiguity or confusion. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, the phrase is relatively rare and leans towards a neutral to professional register. It's most commonly found in news and business contexts where clarity and precision are important. Alternatives include "resolve ambiguity" and "eliminate confusion". Using simpler alternatives like "sort things out" is recommended for informal conversations. Understanding the contexts and available synonyms will allow for the accurate and effective use of "clear up uncertainty" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve ambiguity

Focuses on eliminating multiple possible interpretations.

clarify doubts

Emphasizes the removal of doubts through explanation.

eliminate confusion

Highlights the removal of a state of being perplexed or unclear.

dispel ambiguity

Uses a more formal term for removing ambiguity.

resolve questions

Directly addresses and answers questions.

settle doubts

Implies a conclusive resolution of doubts.

ease concerns

Focuses on reducing worry or apprehension.

alleviate uncertainties

Similar meaning, but uses a slightly more formal tone.

address ambiguities

More formal way of stating the action of clarifying.

rectify vagueness

Focuses on correcting the lack of clarity or precision.

FAQs

How can I use "clear up uncertainty" in a sentence?

You can use "clear up uncertainty" to describe the action of removing ambiguity or confusion. For instance, "The goal of the investigation is to "clear up uncertainty" surrounding the incident."

What phrases are similar to "clear up uncertainty"?

Alternatives to "clear up uncertainty" include phrases like "resolve ambiguity", "clarify doubts", or "eliminate confusion", which all convey the idea of making something clearer.

Is "clear up uncertainty" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "clear up uncertainty" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to express the act of removing confusion. In less formal contexts, consider using more casual alternatives.

What is the difference between "clear up uncertainty" and "address concerns"?

"Clear up uncertainty" focuses on removing ambiguity or confusion, while "address concerns" focuses on alleviating worries or anxieties. The former is about clarity, the latter is about reassurance.