greatest uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

'greatest uncertainty' is an understandable and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an event, situation, or decision that is full of doubt and trepidation. For example, "The greatest uncertainty in my life right now is deciding what university to attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The greatest uncertainty in snowfall accumulations is in New York City and it surrounding area.

The Guardian

"Our greatest uncertainty is areas of corporate sponsorship and individual contributions".

The New York Times

The country that harbors the greatest uncertainty is Saudi Arabia, one of Iraq's most powerful neighbors.

The New York Times

The final blow came from the greatest uncertainty in the business: nature itself.

The New York Times

The greatest uncertainty surrounds contamination from the nuclear accident prompted by the earthquake and tsunami.

The New York Times

Yet the greatest uncertainty in the universities today comes from Brexit's effect on their staff, students, research potential and finance.

The Guardian - Opinion

The greatest uncertainty is not who will succeed Qaboos but whether the state's institutions are strong enough to survive him.

The New Yorker

The high-level political confrontations on Friday and Saturday produced the greatest uncertainty over Greece and in the eurozone in the five-year debt saga.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This variability yielded the greatest uncertainties for its predictions.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Greater uncertainty, too.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a time of great uncertainty".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future projections or forecasts, use "greatest uncertainty" to clearly identify the aspects that are most subject to change or error. This can help manage expectations and guide further investigation.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on "greatest uncertainty" as a catch-all phrase in qualitative reports. Instead, pinpoint specific factors contributing to the uncertainty to provide a more nuanced and actionable analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest uncertainty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI demonstrates its use in identifying the most unpredictable or unknown element in various contexts, such as business, science, and news reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

31%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greatest uncertainty" is a very common noun phrase used to identify the element within a situation that is the most unpredictable or unknown. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse domains, particularly in science, news, and formal business contexts. When writing, it's best practice to use this phrase to highlight areas needing further investigation while avoiding overuse in qualitative assessments. It's important to differentiate it from related concepts like "greatest risk". Understanding its function and context helps ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most significant area of ambiguity

Highlights the importance of the uncertainty by calling it the most significant.

utmost ambiguity

Replaces uncertainty with its synonym ambiguity, adding emphasis.

chief element of unpredictability

Replaces uncertainty with unpredictability and highlights its status as the chief element.

highest level of doubt

Focuses on the intensity of doubt rather than the scope of uncertainty.

principal unknown

Highlights the lack of knowledge or information about something.

primary area of unpredictability

Shifts the focus from uncertainty to the characteristic of being unpredictable.

paramount imprecision

Focuses on a lack of precise knowledge, implying a high degree of uncertainty.

major source of instability

Emphasizes the potential for disruption caused by the uncertainty.

largest element of risk

Highlights the potential negative consequences associated with the uncertainty.

biggest question mark

Uses a more informal idiom to convey the idea of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "greatest uncertainty" to refer to the element or aspect that is least predictable or most subject to change in a given situation. For instance, "The "greatest uncertainty" in the project is the availability of resources".

What are some alternatives to "greatest uncertainty"?

Alternatives to "greatest uncertainty" include phrases like "highest level of doubt", "primary area of unpredictability", or "utmost ambiguity", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "greatest uncertainty" or "most uncertainty"?

"Greatest uncertainty" and "most uncertainty" are generally interchangeable. However, "greatest uncertainty" tends to imply a higher degree or impact of the uncertainty than "most uncertainty".

What's the difference between "greatest uncertainty" and "greatest risk"?

"Greatest uncertainty" refers to the element that is least predictable or known. "Greatest risk", on the other hand, refers to the element that poses the most significant potential for negative consequences. While they can be related, they emphasize different aspects of a situation.