deliberately ambivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliberately ambivalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, statement, or action that is intentionally unclear or open to multiple interpretations. Example: "The politician's statement was deliberately ambivalent, leaving voters unsure of his true stance on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The ending is deliberately ambivalent.

The New York Times

Podolski himself has been deliberately ambivalent.

The Guardian - Sport

Its attitude towards its subject remains deeply, deliberately ambivalent.

Independent

The film's depiction of madness is deliberately ambivalent.

The Guardian - Film

The deliberately ambivalent title of Another Year can be read in two very different ways; as the declaration of a positive new broom – out with the old, in with the new – or as the depressing acceptance of an unalterable status quo.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It seems that in his final draft, Fallada (who died before the first edited version of the book was brought to press) was deliberately more ambivalent about the Quangels than in the translation we've all been reading.

The Guardian - Books

The King's dislike was exacerbated as the well-informed, deliberately charming, and sexually ambivalent Conti won prestige at court and ingratiated himself with the Dauphin.

Britannica

Her virtues and their matching, mirroring vices belong less to history than to the world of Scott Fitzgerald, and, like so many of Fitzgerald's haunting and ambivalent characters, she was deliberately arrested and incomplete.

The Guardian - Books

It might be ambivalent whether the person who filmed the assault did so out of voyeurism or to deliberately create evidence (as the Ohio teenager argues).

The Guardian

There's a copy of Moby Dick on the hero's bedroom floor, and the symbolic significance of the Blot is as deliberately obscure as that of Melville's whale - is it sin, fear, depression, or something more ambivalent?

The Guardian - Books

Ambivalent Mirror?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deliberately ambivalent" when you want to emphasize that the ambiguity is intentional and serves a specific purpose, such as creating suspense or avoiding a clear commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "deliberately ambivalent" when the ambiguity is unintentional or due to lack of clarity. Ensure the context clearly indicates a conscious choice to be unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberately ambivalent" functions as an intensifier (deliberately) modifying an adjective (ambivalent). It indicates a conscious and intentional state of uncertainty or mixed feelings. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Film

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deliberately ambivalent" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe intentional ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable phrase in English. While relatively rare in overall usage, it appears most frequently in news, media and literary contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the intentionality behind the ambivalence is clear. Consider alternatives like "intentionally ambiguous" or "purposely vague" to fine-tune the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid using it in situations where clarity is paramount, as the intentional ambiguity could lead to misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consciously ambivalent

Focuses on the awareness of the ambivalence, sharing the core meaning of "deliberately ambivalent" but highlighting the awareness aspect.

intentionally ambiguous

Focuses on the purposeful act of being unclear, similar to "deliberately ambivalent" but emphasizes the ambiguity itself.

purposely vague

Highlights the intention behind the lack of precision, akin to "deliberately ambivalent" but with a stronger emphasis on the lack of detail.

calculatedly indefinite

Emphasizes the strategic and thoughtful nature of the ambiguity, sharing the intent of "deliberately ambivalent" but stressing the careful planning involved.

designedly equivocal

Stresses that the ambiguity was a part of the design or plan, similar to "deliberately ambivalent" but focusing on the planned aspect of the uncertainty.

artfully ambiguous

Highlights the skillful and clever aspect of creating ambiguity, adding an element of artistry not necessarily present in "deliberately ambivalent".

studiedly uncertain

Indicates a deliberate and thoughtful approach to being uncertain, comparable to "deliberately ambivalent" but focuses on the conscious effort to maintain uncertainty.

tactically obscure

Implies that the ambiguity serves a specific strategic purpose, akin to "deliberately ambivalent" but focusing on the strategic intention behind the obscurity.

knowingly noncommittal

Highlights a conscious decision to avoid commitment or a clear stance, similar to "deliberately ambivalent" but with an emphasis on avoiding taking a definite position.

purposefully double-edged

Indicates that something is intentionally designed to have two conflicting interpretations or effects, similar to "deliberately ambivalent" but focusing on the duality of meaning.

FAQs

How to use "deliberately ambivalent" in a sentence?

You can use "deliberately ambivalent" to describe statements, actions, or situations that are intentionally unclear or open to multiple interpretations. For example: "The politician's statement was "deliberately ambivalent", leaving voters unsure of his true stance on the issue."

What can I say instead of "deliberately ambivalent"?

You can use alternatives like "intentionally ambiguous", "purposely vague", or "consciously ambivalent" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "deliberately ambivalent" and "unintentionally ambiguous"?

"Deliberately ambivalent" implies a conscious choice to be unclear, while "unintentionally ambiguous" suggests the lack of clarity was not planned or desired. The former is a strategy, the latter an oversight.

Is it okay to be "deliberately ambivalent" in communication?

Being "deliberately ambivalent" can be effective in certain situations, such as diplomacy or creative writing, where leaving room for interpretation is beneficial. However, in situations requiring directness and clarity, it can lead to confusion or distrust.