has been unclear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been unclear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or information that has not been clearly communicated or understood over a period of time. Example: "The instructions for the project have been unclear, leading to confusion among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So far, the coalition response has been unclear.

The New York Times

Just how those plankton layers form has been unclear.

The New York Times - Science

The timetable has been unclear for two months.

The New York Times

The exact legal status of housing associations has been unclear for decades.

The Guardian

What has been unclear is how Mr. Bush expects to strike.

The New York Times

Still, it has been unclear who would succeed Rupert as chairman.

The New Yorker

The precise extent of the UK military advice to the Saudi air force has been unclear.

The Guardian

But the role of the US in Mobley's case has been unclear from the start.

The Guardian

Twitter has been unclear about who can send private messages to whom.

The Guardian

But it has been unclear whether this is merely a matter of perception.

The New York Times - Health

How this works, however, has been unclear.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been unclear", ensure that the context provides some indication of why the subject is unclear. Who finds it unclear, and what factors contribute to the lack of clarity?

Common error

Avoid using "has been unclear" without specifying what exactly is unclear. Instead of saying "The situation has been unclear", clarify: "The cause of the accident has been unclear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been unclear" functions as a stative verb phrase. It indicates a state of being or a condition—in this case, a lack of clarity—that has existed over a period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been unclear" serves to express a lack of clarity that has persisted over time. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and suitability for use in diverse contexts, including news and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's important to specify what is unclear to avoid vagueness. Related phrases, like "has remained uncertain" or "has lacked clarity", can offer nuanced alternatives. While this phrase is not incorrect, it can be improved by adding more context to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has remained uncertain

Emphasizes the continuation of uncertainty over a period.

has stayed ambiguous

Highlights the presence of multiple possible interpretations.

has lacked clarity

Focuses on the absence of clear definition or explanation.

has been up for debate

Suggests an ongoing discussion without a definitive resolution.

has been shrouded in mystery

Implies a deliberate obscurity or lack of transparency.

has been subject to speculation

Indicates that the topic is being guessed at but not confirmed.

has not been well-defined

Stresses the absence of a precise or distinct definition.

has evaded precise understanding

Highlights the difficulty in achieving a clear comprehension.

has been open to interpretation

Suggests that the meaning is subjective and varies depending on the person.

has not been elucidated

Emphasizes that the subject has not been clarified or explained thoroughly.

FAQs

How can I use "has been unclear" in a sentence?

Use "has been unclear" to indicate that something has not been clearly understood or defined over a period of time. For instance, "The company's future strategy "has been unclear" since the CEO's departure".

What are some alternatives to saying "has been unclear"?

You can use alternatives like "has remained uncertain", "has lacked clarity", or "has stayed ambiguous" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "has been unclear" or "is unclear"?

"Has been unclear" suggests a state of uncertainty that has persisted over time, while "is unclear" refers to the current state. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration of the uncertainty. For example "The long-term impact is unclear" versus "The cause of the delay "has been unclear" for weeks".

What's the difference between "has been unclear" and "remains unclear"?

"Has been unclear" indicates that something was unclear in the past and continues to be so. "Remains unclear" emphasizes the continuation of a previously unclear state. While their meanings overlap significantly, "remains unclear" underscores the persistence of the lack of clarity.