insufficient clarity

USAGE SUMMARY

"insufficient clarity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is unclear or not stated clearly enough or in enough detail. For example, "The instructions given were not sufficient, with insufficient clarity on important details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But there is insufficient clarity in the political landscape for him to articulate a new political calculus of the sort devised by Roosevelt and Reagan.

The New York Times

Clegg, speaking at a press conference in central London, said he was concerned that there was insufficient clarity about the scale of zero-hours contracts in the economy, citing conflicting research from the Resolution Foundation and other thinktanks.

The Guardian - Money

There are also problems over who should be able to solemnise a marriage, the content of any ceremony, notice and registration requirements for a marriage, insufficient clarity on the formalities required for a marriage to be valid and how far the rules governing the formation of a civil partnership should be aligned with those for the solemnisation of a marriage.

The Guardian - Tech

Ros Jones has raised concerns over "insufficient clarity, detail, substance and rigour" in the proposal.

BBC

In case of suspected unreliable information due to insufficient clarity in data presentation, the article was excluded from the analysis.

Annals of Intensive Care

And there was insufficient clarity concerning the basis for holding data for a minimum of six months or the maximum of two years, they argued.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If an ethical theory is insufficient with respect to clarity and coherence, it should not be applied in empirical-ethical research – even if it fits the designated subject very well, is in line with the overall aims of the project and matches the project's socio-empirical research methodology very nicely.

BMC Medical Ethics

There is also insufficient point, purpose and narrative clarity in the long flashback that follows.

The New York Times

Twenty-two studies rated as poor in methodological quality [15, 16, 45 47, 50, 52, 53, 55 68] were limited due to insufficient participant numbers or lacked clarity in their hypotheses generation.

Sports Medicine - Open

Unfortunately, insufficient detail and more important, clarity, is provided in the methods to allow one to fully understand the procedure or to allow replication of their results.

Biology Direct

This criticism focused on insufficient independence and a lack of clarity over the separation of roles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, always address potential areas of "insufficient clarity" by providing detailed explanations, definitions, and examples to ensure reader comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient clarity" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler terms like "unclear" or "vague" are often more appropriate for less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient clarity" functions as a noun phrase, where "insufficient" modifies the noun "clarity". It typically acts as the object of a preposition (e.g., "due to insufficient clarity") or as a subject complement. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "insufficient clarity" is a grammatically correct and usable term, though relatively uncommon, employed to highlight a lack of detail or precision in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal writing and serves to criticize or point out deficiencies, primarily appearing in news, scientific, and formal business settings. To ensure effective communication, replace "insufficient clarity" with alternatives like "lack of detail" or "unclear definition" in specific contexts. While valuable for identifying problems, avoid overuse in casual settings where simpler language suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of detail

Highlights the absence of specific information.

incomplete information

Emphasizes that the provided information is not whole or comprehensive.

unclear definition

Focuses on the lack of a precise or well-defined meaning.

inadequate explanation

Highlights that the provided explanation is not sufficient or complete.

lack of precision

Focuses on the absence of exactness or accuracy.

poorly defined

Highlights the imprecise or vague nature of something.

limited transparency

Emphasizes the absence of openness and accessibility of information.

vague understanding

Indicates an incomplete or indistinct comprehension.

deficient lucidity

Stresses the lack of clear and easy understanding.

ambiguous nature

Focuses on the quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "insufficient clarity" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient clarity" to point out a lack of detail or precision in a plan, explanation, or set of instructions. For example, "There was "insufficient clarity" in the project proposal, making it difficult to assess its feasibility."

What are some alternatives to "insufficient clarity"?

Alternatives include phrases like "lack of detail", "unclear definition", or "vague understanding". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "insufficient clarity" formal or informal?

"Insufficient clarity" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or technical writing. In more casual contexts, simpler terms like "unclear" might be preferable.

What does "insufficient clarity" mean?

"Insufficient clarity" means that something is not clear enough, lacking the detail or precision needed to be easily understood. It implies a need for more explanation or elaboration.