highly uncertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'highly uncertain' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express that something is uncertain or unpredictable. For example, "The future of the economy is highly uncertain at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Afghanistan: "Highly uncertain".

The New Yorker

The future is highly uncertain.

The New York Times

The outcome remains highly uncertain.

The New York Times

But the legislative outcome is highly uncertain.

The New York Times

But my future is highly uncertain.

The New York Times - Health

But these are also highly uncertain times.

The New York Times

The future was highly uncertain, he said.

The Guardian

"This community is highly, highly uncertain.

The New York Times

The bill's fate is highly uncertain.

The New York Times

Standard & Poor's said Schering-Plough's earnings prospects were "highly uncertain".

The New York Times

But the measure faces a highly uncertain fate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly uncertain", ensure the context clearly indicates what is uncertain and why. Providing specific reasons or factors contributing to the uncertainty can strengthen your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "highly uncertain" when the situation involves known risks or probabilities. Reserve the phrase for scenarios where the outcome is genuinely unpredictable due to unknown factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly uncertain" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun or situation characterized by a significant lack of predictability or definiteness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly uncertain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes situations lacking predictability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for formal and informal contexts. While alternatives like "extremely doubtful" or "very unpredictable" exist, the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey. The phrase is most commonly found in news and scientific publications, reflecting its utility in discussing unpredictable events and outcomes, ensuring writers use it judiciously to prevent overstatement and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely doubtful

Uses "extremely" instead of "highly" to intensify the uncertainty, and "doubtful" instead of "uncertain".

very unpredictable

Replaces "uncertain" with "unpredictable", focusing on the inability to foresee outcomes, and "highly" with "very".

quite precarious

Employs "precarious" to suggest instability and risk, differing slightly in nuance from simple uncertainty, and "quite" instead of "highly".

considerably ambiguous

Substitutes "uncertain" with "ambiguous", highlighting the lack of clarity and multiple possible interpretations, and "highly" with "considerably".

largely speculative

Replaces "uncertain" with "speculative", indicating reliance on conjecture rather than concrete evidence, and "highly" with "largely".

subject to much doubt

Expresses uncertainty by framing it as being "subject to much doubt", altering the sentence structure.

fraught with uncertainty

Uses the idiom "fraught with uncertainty" to convey a situation filled with unpredictability.

not set in stone

An idiomatic way of indicating that something is not finalized and can change, rather than specifically being uncertain.

up in the air

Uses the idiom "up in the air" to express that the outcome is still undecided and uncertain.

contingent on various factors

Focuses on the dependency of the outcome on external elements, rather than explicitly stating uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "highly uncertain" in a sentence?

You can use "highly uncertain" to describe situations where the outcome is unpredictable. For example, "The success of the new product launch is "highly uncertain" due to market volatility".

What are some alternatives to "highly uncertain"?

Alternatives include "extremely doubtful", "very unpredictable", or "quite precarious", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "highly uncertain" or "very uncertain"?

"Highly uncertain" and "very uncertain" are largely interchangeable, but "highly" often suggests a more significant degree of uncertainty. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "highly uncertain" and "somewhat uncertain"?

"Highly uncertain" indicates a significant lack of predictability, while "somewhat uncertain" suggests a lesser degree of doubt or unpredictability. The former implies a greater likelihood of unexpected outcomes.