is murky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is murky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unclear, vague, or difficult to understand, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The explanation provided by the speaker is murky, leaving the audience confused about the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

— is murky.

The New York Times - Magazine

The truth is murky.

The New York Times - Sports

The future is murky.

The New York Times - Sports

Military politics is murky.

The Economist

The evidence is murky.

The New York Times - Arts

And the process is murky.

The Economist

But public opinion is murky.

The Economist

Here, the evidence is murky.

The Economist

In practice it is murky.

The Economist

But the truth is murky.

The New York Times

The water is murky.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is murky", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what specifically is unclear. Avoid overuse in a single piece of writing.

Common error

Avoid embedding "is murky" within overly complex sentences, which can further obscure the meaning. Keep the sentence structure straightforward to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is murky" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. It indicates that something lacks clarity or is difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is murky" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote a lack of clarity or transparency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it appears frequently in news, media, and formal contexts. When using "is murky", ensure the surrounding context clearly identifies what is unclear to the reader. Alternatives such as "is unclear", "is ambiguous", and "is vague" can provide similar meaning but with slightly different connotations. Be mindful of overly complex sentences when using "is murky" to maintain clarity for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity or understanding.

is ambiguous

Highlights the potential for multiple interpretations.

is vague

Emphasizes the lack of specific details.

is obscure

Suggests that something is hidden or not easily discovered.

is undefined

Indicates a lack of clear boundaries or limits.

is uncertain

Highlights the lack of sureness or confidence.

is doubtful

Emphasizes skepticism or disbelief.

is indefinite

Focuses on the lack of a fixed or determined quality.

is enigmatic

Suggests a mysterious or puzzling quality.

is cryptic

Implies that something is intentionally hidden or difficult to decipher.

FAQs

How can I use "is murky" in a sentence?

Use "is murky" to describe situations, information, or explanations that are unclear, confusing, or not easily understood. For example, "The details surrounding the agreement "is murky"."

What's a more formal alternative to "is murky"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is ambiguous", "is undefined", or "lacks clarity" as alternatives to "is murky".

What does it mean when someone says something "is murky"?

When someone says something ""is murky"", it means the situation or information is not clear, possibly confusing, or lacks transparency.

Which is the right phrase to use, "is murky" or "are murky"?

"Is murky" is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns, whereas "are murky" is used with plural nouns. For example, "The situation "is murky"" but "The details "are murky"".