insufficiently clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"insufficiently clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something you are trying to explain or communicate is not properly understood or explained. For example: "This part of the instructions is insufficiently clear. Can you explain it in more detail?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

However, the pharmacology of inhibitory control is still insufficiently clear.

European Neuropsychopharmacology

I was harangued by Indian soldiers who considered the stamp on my press pass insufficiently clear.

The New Yorker

However, he also believes that the distinction between policy and delivery is insufficiently clear.

The Guardian - Money

While there is evidence of clinical improvement of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with treatment, its neural underpinnings are insufficiently clear.

Journal of Psychiatric Research

Numerous different HRQL instruments are available, but the validity for use in patients with TBI is insufficiently clear.

The Lancet

That's an inelegant term, but then the vocabulary on this subject is generally awkward and insufficiently clear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Although it was demonstrated in the past that endogenous DNA could accumulate or access cytosolic compartments when improperly degraded or insufficiently cleared from the extracellular space (Kawane et al, 2006), AIM2 activation through endogenous DNA has yet not been demonstrated in a physiological disease model.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

The findings raise the possibility that decreased hemopexin could result in insufficiently neutralized or cleared heme in some patients with ARDS, burns, or in premature infants who might be candidates to benefit from hemopexin administration.

Critical Care

Additionally, in critically ill human patients, autophagy appears insufficiently activated to adequately clear cell damage in skeletal muscle.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Some conservatives even cheered these losses, hoping that the party could be cleared of insufficiently zealous dead wood and begin anew.Doubts now exist about the make-up of the party.

The Economist

Last year this compressed format would have hurt Trump, but he is (only) somewhat better informed; it's clear that he remains insufficiently briefed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficiently clear", ensure the context highlights what specifically lacks clarity. Providing further explanation or examples can enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "insufficiently clear" without specifying which aspect is unclear. Instead of saying, "The instructions were insufficiently clear", specify: "The instructions regarding the assembly of part A were insufficiently clear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficiently clear" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun or concept, indicating a deficiency in clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, exemplified by sentences where something is described as lacking necessary detail or explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insufficiently clear" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a lack of clarity or intelligibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for describing concepts or explanations that require further detail. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, it serves to express a critical evaluation of something's comprehensibility. Remember to specify what aspect is unclear to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "not entirely clear" or "somewhat vague" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely clear

Indicates a partial lack of clarity, suggesting some aspects are understandable.

somewhat vague

Highlights a lack of precision or detail, implying ambiguity.

less than clear

Suggests a deficiency in clarity, indicating it could be clearer.

not fully explained

Focuses on the lack of complete explanation, pointing to missing details.

ambiguous to some extent

Acknowledges ambiguity, suggesting interpretation is open to multiple understandings.

leaves something to be desired in terms of clarity

Points to a need for improvement in clarity, indicating dissatisfaction.

partially obscure

Highlights that only parts are difficult to understand, while others are understandable.

lacking precision

Focuses on the absence of exactness or accuracy, indicating vagueness.

imperfectly defined

Points out the incomplete or flawed definition of something, showing incomplete comprehension.

clouded with uncertainty

Emphasizes the presence of doubt and lack of certainty, showing it's very difficult to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "insufficiently clear" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficiently clear" to describe something that is not easily understood or explained. For example, "The distinction between the two policies was "insufficiently clear", leading to confusion among the staff".

What are some alternatives to saying "insufficiently clear"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not entirely clear", "somewhat vague", or "less than clear", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "insufficiently clear" formal or informal?

"Insufficiently clear" is generally considered a formal expression, suitable for professional, academic, and neutral contexts. In informal settings, simpler phrases may be preferred.

What does it mean when something is described as "insufficiently clear"?

When something is described as "insufficiently clear", it means that it lacks the necessary clarity or detail to be easily understood. It suggests there is ambiguity or obscurity that hinders comprehension.