in unambiguous terms

USAGE SUMMARY

"in unambiguous terms" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a statement or expressing yourself in a direct and clear manner. For example, "I want to make it clear, in unambiguous terms, that I am not interested in pursuing this opportunity further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

In unambiguous terms, the panel said yesterday that warnings did not suffice.

The New York Times

For Yankees fans it was a bitter dose of reality, delivered in unambiguous terms.

The New York Times

Surprisingly, given how unpopular notions of pan-Germanism are in contemporary Austrian society, he has not always done so in unambiguous terms.

The Guardian

An apparent evolution of Mr. Obama's thinking can be heard in contrast to comments he made in July, when he called a news conference to lay out his Iraq policy in unambiguous terms.

The New York Times

His refreshing method is to zoom all the way out, taking an interest "not in what people think — which has been stated again and again in unambiguous terms — so much as why they think it".

The New York Times - Books

Havel recalled in unambiguous terms the bloody record of the general's men after the 1973 coup against Salvador Allende's government, while Klaus and his ministers stuck angrily to the line that this was a private commercial visit by a valuable customer for what (to Havel's continuing regret) was still one of the country's most important export industries.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

This morning, when first asked whether he had ruled out appearing at the debate, either in person or by satellite feed, Mr. McCain replied in seemingly unambiguous terms.

The New York Times

Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday night, the Black Swan actress announced in rather unambiguous terms why she rejected the pronoun "we".

Independent

Indigenisation followed the principles formulated by Lenin in quite unambiguous terms: The proletariat cannot but fight against the forcible retention of the oppressed nations within the boundaries of a given state, and this is exactly what the struggle for the right of self-determination means.

The Guardian

"The information provided to the minister identified in sufficiently unambiguous terms the inevitable and considerable adverse effect which the closure of the fund will have, particularly on those who, as a consequence, will lose the ability to live independently," she added.

Independent

He praised Clinton's proposal in strong, unambiguous terms ― describing it as "an extremely important initiative" and predicting that "it will save lives, it will ease suffering, it will improve health care in America, and it will cut health care costs".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in unambiguous terms" when you want to ensure your message is easily understood and leaves no room for misinterpretation. It is particularly useful in formal communication, legal documents, or when addressing sensitive topics.

Common error

While "in unambiguous terms" is a strong and clear phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious in informal settings. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in unambiguous terms" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the manner in which something is expressed. It emphasizes the clarity and directness of the communication. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in unambiguous terms" is a useful phrase for emphasizing clarity and directness in communication, particularly in formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains such as news, academia, and science. While it effectively conveys a message without any room for misinterpretation, it's important to avoid overusing it in casual conversation where simpler alternatives may be more suitable. The phrase is used to express something in a clear way, preventing any possible doubt or misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in no uncertain terms

A more emphatic way of saying "in unambiguous terms", adding a sense of firmness.

explicitly stated

Highlights the explicitness and lack of ambiguity in the statement.

clearly and directly

Focuses on both clarity and straightforwardness in communication.

expressly

A single word alternative emphasizing direct and clear expression.

without any doubt

Stresses the certainty and lack of uncertainty in the message.

without equivocation

Highlights the absence of hedging or ambiguity.

categorically

Implies a firm and absolute statement.

in plain language

Emphasizes the simplicity and ease of understanding of the language used.

definitively

Focuses on the conclusive and final nature of the statement.

in black and white

Implies that something is written down clearly and definitively.

FAQs

How can I use "in unambiguous terms" in a sentence?

You can use "in unambiguous terms" to emphasize the clarity and directness of a statement. For example, "The contract states, "in unambiguous terms", that all parties are responsible for their own legal fees."

What are some alternatives to "in unambiguous terms"?

Alternatives include "clearly and directly", "explicitly stated", or "in no uncertain terms". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in unambiguous terms" or "in clear terms"?

Both "in unambiguous terms" and "in clear terms" indicate clarity, but "in unambiguous terms" emphasizes the absence of any possible misinterpretation. "In clear terms" simply means easy to understand. The choice depends on whether you need to stress the complete lack of ambiguity.

When is it appropriate to use "in unambiguous terms"?

It is appropriate to use "in unambiguous terms" in formal writing, legal documents, or when you need to make a point very clear and leave no room for misunderstanding. Using it ensures that the message is direct, clear, and unequivocal. However, it might sound stilted or overly formal in casual conversations.