considerable uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

'considerable uncertainty' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation where there is a large amount of doubt or ambiguity. For example, "The recent political unrest has caused considerable uncertainty over the future of the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there is considerable uncertainty in the market.

The New York Times

It's created considerable uncertainty, particularly in the business community.

The Guardian

BP admitted there remained considerable uncertainty surrounding the final costs.

The New York Times

But it added there was "considerable uncertainty" around this judgement.

Independent

"Intelligence collection operations against potential terrorist threats to the homeland often involve considerable uncertainty," he wrote.

The New York Times

"There is a considerable uncertainty about the strength of the upturn," he said.

The Guardian - Business

However, an official report for Decc (pdf) admits that there is considerable uncertainty about supply.

The Guardian

"There is considerable uncertainty on Germany's economic outlook for 2002," he said.

The New York Times

There was considerable uncertainty about how Sweden's border controls would be applied.

The Guardian

"At the same time, considerable uncertainty remains about the sustainability of the expansion in some countries".

The New York Times

A month after Mr. Pope's return home, considerable uncertainty surrounds both assertions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "considerable uncertainty", be specific about the area or aspect to which the uncertainty applies. This adds clarity and avoids vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "considerable uncertainty" when the situation involves known risks or probabilities. Use more precise language to reflect the actual level of predictability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable uncertainty" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "considerable" intensifies the noun "uncertainty". As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used to highlight a significant lack of predictability or clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "considerable uncertainty" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a significant lack of predictability or clarity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various domains, particularly in science, news and media, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "significant ambiguity" or "substantial doubt" exist, "considerable uncertainty" effectively conveys a notable degree of doubt. When using this phrase, ensure you specify the area of uncertainty to enhance clarity. Avoid overstating uncertainty in situations with known risks. The frequency and authoritative sources confirm its widespread acceptance in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Great deal of ambiguity

Expands the original phrase to emphasize the extent of ambiguity.

Significant ambiguity

Replaces "uncertainty" with "ambiguity", highlighting the lack of clarity.

Significant degree of doubt

Similar to "substantial doubt", but uses different wording.

Substantial doubt

Emphasizes the element of disbelief or questioning rather than general uncertainty.

High level of unpredictability

Emphasizes the degree of unpredictability involved.

Marked unpredictability

Focuses on the inability to foresee future outcomes.

Notable imprecision

Highlights a lack of exactness or accuracy.

Large amount of vagueness

Highlights the quantity or extent of the vagueness.

Appreciable vagueness

Stresses the lack of specificity or clarity.

Considerable murkiness

Implies a lack of transparency or clear understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "considerable uncertainty" in a sentence?

You can use "considerable uncertainty" to describe situations where outcomes are unpredictable or information is incomplete. For instance, "There is "considerable uncertainty" about the project's completion date."

What are some alternatives to "considerable uncertainty"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "significant ambiguity", "substantial doubt", or "marked unpredictability".

Is it better to say "considerable uncertainty" or "significant uncertainty"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between "considerable uncertainty" and "significant uncertainty" often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

How does "considerable uncertainty" differ from "slight uncertainty"?

"Considerable uncertainty" indicates a high degree of doubt or unpredictability, while "slight uncertainty" suggests only a minor level of doubt or a small margin of error.