create uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

"create uncertainty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when someone is unsure of the outcome of a situation or when they are uncertain about something. For example, "The jury's verdict left everyone creating uncertainty about what the future held."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's going to create uncertainty.

The New York Times

Straying too far, however, can create uncertainty.

The New York Times

Will a referendum on Europe create uncertainty for businesses, especially for those that trade overseas?

The Guardian

Leaving, he argues, "would just create uncertainty, and potentially increase the cost of doing trade.

The Guardian

"It is going to create uncertainty not only for the economy but for the financial sector".

The Guardian - Business

The shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, said it would create uncertainty and confusion among foreign investors.

The Guardian

"Whenever public policy becomes hesitant or reverses a policy there, you can create uncertainty.

The Guardian

He also said such a rule might create uncertainty for banks and others.

The New York Times

Short-term extensions create uncertainty about federal funding and make local transport planning difficult.

The Economist

"This will create uncertainty among employers and staff, who do not know where they stand.

Independent

Those provisions, diplomats and officials say, are being used in Kabul to create uncertainty about the new agreement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "create uncertainty", consider the audience and the specific type of uncertainty being generated. Be precise about what is uncertain and why, providing context to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "create uncertainty" in a vague or general way. Instead of saying 'The new policy will create uncertainty', specify which aspects will become uncertain and for whom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "create uncertainty" functions as a verb phrase where "create" acts as a transitive verb taking "uncertainty" as its direct object. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness. Examples show it describing actions that lead to a state of unpredictability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "create uncertainty" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe actions or situations that lead to a lack of predictability or clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across diverse contexts, but primarily found in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When employing the phrase, aim for specificity to avoid vagueness and to ensure clear communication. Be aware of the slight semantic differences between "create uncertainty" and related phrases like "generate uncertainty" or "create doubt", and choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generate uncertainty

Focuses on the act of producing uncertainty.

foster uncertainty

Emphasizes the nurturing or encouragement of uncertainty.

breed uncertainty

Suggests that uncertainty arises naturally from a particular situation.

induce uncertainty

Highlights the act of causing or bringing about uncertainty.

spark uncertainty

Implies a sudden or abrupt beginning of uncertainty.

raise uncertainty

Focuses on the act of bringing uncertainty to attention or prominence.

trigger uncertainty

Suggests that something initiates or sets off a state of uncertainty.

provoke uncertainty

Emphasizes that something causes a strong reaction of uncertainty.

sow the seeds of doubt

A more figurative way of suggesting the planting of uncertainty.

lead to instability

Shifts the focus to the outcome of uncertainty, which is instability.

FAQs

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

You can use "create uncertainty" to describe situations, actions, or policies that lead to a lack of predictability or clarity. For example, "The government's indecision is likely to "create uncertainty" among investors".

What are some alternatives to "create uncertainty"?

Alternatives to "create uncertainty" include phrases like "generate uncertainty", "foster uncertainty", or "induce uncertainty", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "create uncertainty" or "creates uncertainty"?

The choice between "create uncertainty" and "creates uncertainty" depends on the subject of the sentence. Use "create uncertainty" with plural subjects or the pronouns 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they'. Use "creates uncertainty" with singular subjects or the pronouns 'he', 'she', and 'it'.

What is the difference between "create uncertainty" and "create doubt"?

"Create uncertainty" suggests a general lack of clarity or predictability, while "create doubt" implies a specific questioning or skepticism about something. The former is broader, while the latter is more focused on disbelief.