involve uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "involve uncertainty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations, processes, or decisions that are not guaranteed and may lead to unpredictable outcomes. Example: "When investing in the stock market, it is important to recognize that all decisions involve uncertainty."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

All attempts will involve uncertainty.

The New York Times

When decisions – like whether or not to undergo a test – involve uncertainty, human beings care not just about statistical odds, but also about the potential for regret.

The New York Times

Moreover, performance appraisal results usually involve uncertainty and fuzziness.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Many analysis and design problems in engineering and science involve uncertainty to varying degrees.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

In both cases, they involve uncertainty, frequent or repeated interaction, and unique investments of money, time or knowledge.

Triple Helix

Note that both stochastic variational inequality problems and uncertain variational inequality problems involve uncertainty in the real world, thus they have no conceptual solutions.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Existing chronologies of ancient Egypt involve uncertainties of up to 100 years.

The Economist

Note that what the underlying mapping F in (1) reflects is deterministic, i.e., it does not involve uncertainties.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The present design guidelines for cross-flooding arrangements involve uncertainties associated with the effect of variable structural factors.

Ocean Engineering

In practical engineering and scientific researches, all engineering analysis and design problems involve uncertainties to various degrees.

Applied Mathematical Modelling

Both datasets involve uncertainties so Monte Carlo simulation is used to acquire several realizations of the model parameters.

Computers & Geosciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research findings or predictions, use "involve uncertainty" to acknowledge limitations and potential variations in results. For example, "Climate models inherently involve uncertainty due to the complex interactions of various factors."

Common error

Avoid using "involve uncertainty" as a hedge to excuse poor analysis. Instead, use it to frame genuine limitations and encourage further investigation, and don't try to pass the idea that you should "guess" what's going to happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "involve uncertainty" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate that a particular situation, process, or decision contains elements of unpredictability or risk. This aligns with Ludwig's examples, where the phrase describes the nature of predictions, investments, and historical reconstructions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "involve uncertainty" functions as a verb phrase used to acknowledge the inherent unpredictability or risk associated with a situation, process, or decision. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in scientific and news contexts. The examples indicate a formal to neutral register and are grammatically correct, a status supported by Ludwig's AI analysis. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to frame genuine limitations and encourage further investigation, and, to be precise, avoid overstating certainty. While "involve uncertainty" is a commonly used phrase, be prepared to employ alternatives such as "entail ambiguity" or "carry inherent risk" for greater precision in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entail ambiguity

Focuses on the lack of clarity or precision.

carry inherent risk

Highlights the presence of potential negative outcomes.

present challenges

Emphasizes the difficulties arising from the uncertainty.

pose unpredictability

Underscores the inability to foresee outcomes.

harbor doubt

Suggests a lingering sense of skepticism.

leave room for speculation

Highlights the potential for guesswork and conjecture.

open to interpretation

Indicates susceptibility to multiple viewpoints.

subject to variability

Points to the potential for fluctuations and inconsistencies.

lack definiteness

Emphasizes the absence of specific boundaries or limitations.

admit of vagueness

Focuses on the lack of precision and clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "involve uncertainty" in a sentence?

You can use "involve uncertainty" to describe situations or processes where outcomes are not guaranteed or predictable. For example, "Investing in startups inherently "involves uncertainty"."

What are some alternatives to "involve uncertainty"?

Alternatives include "entail ambiguity", "carry inherent risk", or "present challenges", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "involve uncertainty" or "involving uncertainty"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "involve uncertainty" typically functions as a verb phrase, while "involving uncertainty" serves as a present participle or gerund phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure and intended meaning. For example, "Decisions "involve uncertainty"" versus "Decision-making "involving uncertainty" is complex."

In what fields is the phrase "involve uncertainty" commonly used?

The phrase "involve uncertainty" is commonly used in various fields, including science, economics, finance, and risk management, to acknowledge the presence of unpredictable factors and potential variability in outcomes.