high level of uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'high level of uncertainty' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe situations or environments that are characterized by a lack of clarity or a lack of knowledge about the outcome or potential outcomes. For example, "The current economic climate has created a high level of uncertainty for many businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There's an especially high level of uncertainty in forecasting Medicare".

The New York Times

As a consequence, our forecasts have an unusually high level of uncertainty.

The Guardian - Business

"Because it's hard to tell, that leaves a high level of uncertainty," he added, "and uncertainty in this type of environment is not good".

The New York Times

Another issue that you can front here: Globalization is going to be at a standstill for a while, until this high level of uncertainty diminishes.

The New York Times

Schools are facing "a high level of uncertainty and anxiety" over the Government's A-level reforms, the head of UCAS - the university admissions service - has warned.

Independent

We really hope the Egyptians manage to put together a functioning democracy, slowly but surely, but there is still a very high level of uncertainty".

The New York Times

"There is a high level of uncertainty, with some pretty frank and open discussions happening as to what possibly might unfold, and in that context, there are as many different scenarios as there are people in the discussion," he said.

The New York Times

As a result, the finances of each defender's office are subject to an extraordinarily high level of uncertainty, especially in districts without major highways – and during floods and other emergencies, when the police and courts are doling out fewer tickets.

The Guardian

But Mr. Trichet underscored the "extraordinarily high level of uncertainty," suggesting that repeated bank failures in Europe had eased the way for the shift in the E.C.B.'s attitude.

The New York Times

Although the introduction to the textbook I used in English 101 remarked "a high level of uncertainty" as a "constant feature" of contemporary life, I had taken it, as I am sure it was meant, in a metaphysical sense.

The New York Times

Joel Robinson, a volunteer chaplain with an organisation that supported the Bergdahl family, told the BBC he was disappointed but said he understood the decision considering the "high level of uncertainty".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "high level of uncertainty", be specific about the source or area of uncertainty to provide context and clarity for the reader. For instance, instead of simply stating there's a "high level of uncertainty", specify, "There is a high level of uncertainty regarding future market trends."

Common error

Avoid using "high level of uncertainty" as a vague, catch-all phrase. Provide concrete examples or explanations of what contributes to the uncertainty. Otherwise, the statement becomes weak and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high level of uncertainty" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to describe a situation characterized by unpredictability and limited knowledge about potential outcomes. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is used to describe scenarios with a lack of clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "high level of uncertainty" is a commonly used phrase that describes situations with significant unpredictability and a lack of clarity. Ludwig AI affirms that this expression is accurate and appropriate for describing unpredictable and unclear scenarios. Predominantly found in science, news media, and formal business contexts, the phrase is generally grammatically correct and conveys a neutral to formal tone. To improve clarity when using this phrase, specify the source of the uncertainty and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "significant degree of unpredictability" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant degree of unpredictability

Changes "level" to "degree" and replaces "uncertainty" with "unpredictability" for a slightly different emphasis.

considerable amount of ambiguity

Substitutes "uncertainty" with "ambiguity", highlighting the lack of clarity.

substantial lack of clarity

Focuses on the absence of clarity rather than the presence of uncertainty.

marked degree of doubt

Emphasizes the presence of doubt as opposed to uncertainty.

great deal of vagueness

Replaces "uncertainty" with "vagueness", pointing to a lack of precision.

pronounced state of flux

Highlights the changing nature of the situation contributing to the uncertainty.

notable lack of predictability

Emphasizes the inability to foresee future outcomes.

serious questions remaining

Shifts the focus to unanswered questions that fuel the uncertainty.

things are up in the air

An idiomatic expression suggesting that the situation is unresolved and uncertain.

the situation is murky

Uses a metaphor to describe the lack of clarity and resulting uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I replace "high level of uncertainty" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "significant degree of unpredictability", "considerable amount of ambiguity", or "substantial lack of clarity" depending on the context.

What does it mean to say there is a "high level of uncertainty"?

Saying there's a "high level of uncertainty" means that outcomes are difficult to predict, information is limited, and potential risks are significant. It indicates a situation where confident decision-making is challenging.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "high level of uncertainty"?

It's appropriate to use "high level of uncertainty" when discussing topics such as economic forecasts, scientific research with limited data, geopolitical events, or any situation where the future is difficult to predict.

What is the difference between "high level of uncertainty" and "risk"?

"High level of uncertainty" refers to the unpredictability of outcomes, while "risk" refers to the potential for negative consequences. A "high level of uncertainty" can increase risk because it makes it harder to assess and manage potential threats.