is ambiguous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is ambiguous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a word, phrase, or sentence that has more than one possible interpretation or meaning. Here is an example: "The instructions for assembling the furniture are ambiguous, so I'm not sure if I'm supposed to use screws or nails."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That, however, is ambiguous.

The Economist

His ambition is ambiguous.

Independent

Space is ambiguous.

The New York Times - Arts

Public opinion is ambiguous.

The Economist

Moalin's answer is ambiguous.

The New Yorker

The message is ambiguous.

The New York Times - Arts

The evidence is ambiguous.

The Guardian

The text is ambiguous.

The New York Times - Books

The plot is ambiguous.

The Guardian

The glance is ambiguous.

The New York Times - Arts

China's position is ambiguous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "is ambiguous" with clarifying language. For example, instead of saying "The report is ambiguous", specify "The report is ambiguous regarding the financial projections".

Common error

Avoid using "is ambiguous" without specifying what exactly is ambiguous. Vague statements like "The situation is ambiguous" can leave the reader confused. Always provide context or detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is ambiguous" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject as having multiple possible interpretations or a lack of clarity. It's commonly used to point out uncertainty or a lack of definition. Ludwig provides examples that support this grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is ambiguous" serves as a predicate adjective, indicating that a subject lacks clarity or possesses multiple interpretations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequent appearance in news and scientific contexts underscores its importance in analytical and critical discussions. While the phrase itself is suitable for various registers, it's crucial to provide context to specify the source and nature of the ambiguity. For alternatives, consider "is unclear" or "is vague" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is open to interpretation

Highlights the possibility of multiple understandings.

is equivocal

Indicates a deliberate use of vague or ambiguous language.

is unclear

Emphasizes a lack of clarity or distinctness.

is vague

Highlights a lack of precision or detail.

is uncertain

Suggests a lack of sureness or definiteness.

is indefinite

Focuses on the lack of a specific or fixed limit.

is doubtful

Implies uncertainty or skepticism.

is questionable

Suggests that something is open to doubt or debate.

is indeterminate

Highlights that something is not exactly or definitely known or decided

is ambivalent

Expresses having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

FAQs

How to use "is ambiguous" in a sentence?

You can use "is ambiguous" to describe something that has multiple possible meanings or interpretations. For example, "The politician's statement "is ambiguous", making it difficult to understand their true intentions."

What can I say instead of "is ambiguous"?

You can use alternatives like "is unclear", "is vague", or "is equivocal" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is ambiguous" or "are ambiguous"?

"Is ambiguous" is used with singular nouns or concepts, while "are ambiguous" is used with plural nouns. For example, "The statement is ambiguous" versus "The instructions are ambiguous".

What's the difference between "is ambiguous" and "is uncertain"?

"Is ambiguous" implies that something has multiple possible meanings, while "is uncertain" suggests a lack of sureness or predictability. Something that "is ambiguous" can be interpreted in different ways, whereas something that "is uncertain" is simply not known or predictable.