expression is ambiguous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expression is ambiguous" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to describe a statement or phrase that can have multiple interpretations or meanings. Example: The politician's statement about the budget was full of ambiguous expressions, making it difficult for the public to understand his true intentions.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

On the topic of ambiguity, Diodorus held that no linguistic expression is ambiguous.

SEP

Mona Lisa's smile comes and goes, she says, because of how the human visual system is designed, not because the expression is ambiguous.

The New York Times - Science

Aïcha's husband may have owned a circus, perhaps a flea circus (she is described as a "trainer of fleas" by profession, although the expression is ambiguous: it might simply mean a drunk with the D.T.s).

The New Yorker

The researchers noted that they were not suggesting that facial expressions never indicate specific feelings – only that when the emotion is intense and at its peak, for those first few seconds, the expression is ambiguous.

The New York Times

Ambiguity In general, an expression is ambiguous if it has more than one meaning.

SEP

He seems to have held that every denoting expression is ambiguous in that it denotes both its denotation and itself (Galen, On ling. soph. 4; Aulus Gellius 11.12.1).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But the terms "express" and "expression" are ambiguous and do not always denote the same thing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many hold that mass expressions are ambiguous between mass or count senses depending upon context (e.g., 'Mary had a little lamb' could mean she owned one, or ate some (Quine 1960, p. 91)).

SEP

The function expression 'φ(xˆ,zˆ)' is ambiguous between 'λxλy φxy' and 'λyλx φxy', without some further convention.

SEP

His expression is wonderfully ambiguous.

The New York Times - Arts

Nevertheless, the association between DNA methylation and gene expression is still ambiguous and controversial.

BMC Medical Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing to a more direct and less ambiguous statement when precision is essential, particularly in technical or formal writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience understands the ambiguity in an expression. Explicitly acknowledge and, if necessary, explain the potential different interpretations to prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expression is ambiguous" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a particular word, phrase, or statement has more than one possible interpretation. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expression is ambiguous" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is open to multiple interpretations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is particularly prevalent in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedia sources. When employing this phrase, consider clarifying the ambiguity to avoid miscommunication. Related phrases include "statement is unclear" and "meaning is uncertain". When writing, be mindful not to assume your audience recognizes the ambiguity and aim to provide clarifying context when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

statement is unclear

Focuses on lack of clarity, rather than multiple meanings.

it lacks clarity

Focuses on the absence of clearness and directness.

utterance is vague

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the expression.

meaning is uncertain

Shifts focus to the uncertainty of meaning derived from the expression.

remark is equivocal

Highlights the possibility of multiple interpretations.

language is imprecise

Indicates a lack of accuracy or exactness in the wording.

interpretation is open

Emphasizes that the expression allows for various understandings.

formulation is ill-defined

Suggests a lack of clear definition or boundaries.

wording is indefinite

Focuses on the lack of specific detail in the expression.

it's subject to interpretation

Highlights the interpreter's role in assigning meaning to the expression.

FAQs

How can I use "expression is ambiguous" in a sentence?

You can use "expression is ambiguous" to describe something that has more than one possible meaning or is unclear. For instance, "The politician's statement was vague; the expression is ambiguous, and open to multiple interpretations."

What does it mean when an expression is ambiguous?

When an "expression is ambiguous", it means that it can be understood in more than one way. This can lead to confusion or misinterpretation if the context does not provide sufficient clarity.

Which is correct, "expression is ambiguous" or "expression is vague"?

Both "expression is ambiguous" and "expression is vague" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. Ambiguous means having multiple possible meanings, while vague means lacking clarity or precision. You can use alternatives like "statement is unclear".

What can I say instead of "expression is ambiguous"?

You can use alternatives such as "meaning is uncertain", "wording is indefinite", or "interpretation is open" depending on the specific context.