is of uncertain validity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is of uncertain validity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reliability or credibility of information, data, or a claim that lacks clear evidence or support. Example: "The study's findings are intriguing, but the methodology used is of uncertain validity, raising questions about the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As noted above, the use of fish health (the occurrence of fish lesions or fish kills) is of uncertain validity as a marker for the organism but may highlight the presence of toxic strains in the environment, should such strains exist.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Surgical adverse event (AE) monitoring is imprecise, of uncertain validity, and tends toward underreporting.

The Spine Journal

We would not measure all prescribing errors as this is expensive, and many errors are minor and of uncertain validity as surrogates for serious error.

British Medical Journal

Hence, the classification of our population into different seasonality groups could be argued to be of uncertain clinical validity.

Plosone

Some of these decisions are based on data of uncertain validity, unknown reproducibility and unclear appropriateness.

BMC Health Services Research

More generally, Orzack concludes (p. 87): [E]volutionary biologists often use models having assumptions known to be manifestly false or at best of uncertain validity in order to predict evolutionary outcomes.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

While there is good data on reported incidence of HA in Canada, data on hospitalization remain scarce and of uncertain validity.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Because of uncertain validity of the BD diagnosis in young patients, the findings in BD should be interpreted carefully.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Another limitation of our study is the uncertain validity of the specific diagnosis of dementia using record linkage.

Plosone

However, given that time course of development of type 2 diabetes is uncertain, validity of diagnosis of diabetes in trials such as ours is limited.

BMJ Open

(These objects are of uncertain date).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is of uncertain validity", provide context by explaining why the validity is uncertain. Mention limitations in data, methodology, or supporting evidence to enhance transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "is of uncertain validity" when there is clear evidence of invalidity. If data is demonstrably false, use stronger terms like "invalid" or "unreliable" instead of softening the assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is of uncertain validity" functions as a qualifier, specifically indicating a lack of definitive proof or reliability regarding a claim, method, or piece of data. It is commonly used in scientific and academic contexts to express reservations about the soundness of research findings, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is of uncertain validity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote doubt or lack of definitive evidence regarding a claim or method. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It primarily appears in formal and scientific contexts, serving to caution against uncritical acceptance and highlight potential limitations. While alternatives like "has questionable validity" or "lacks definitive validation" exist, "is of uncertain validity" provides a balanced and nuanced way to express skepticism. To enhance clarity, always provide context explaining the source of the uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has questionable validity

Changes the verb and adjective to convey uncertainty.

possesses dubious validity

Replaces "uncertain" with "dubious" to suggest doubt.

its validity is not assured

Shifts to a passive construction focusing on the lack of assurance.

lacks definitive validation

Emphasizes the absence of conclusive proof.

exhibits indeterminate validity

Uses a more formal term "indeterminate" to convey uncertainty.

its reliability is questionable

Changes the focus from validity to reliability.

validity is open to doubt

Uses "open to doubt" to express uncertainty.

faces validity challenges

Highlights the existence of issues affecting validity.

is of unconfirmed validity

Uses "unconfirmed" to indicate lack of verification.

validity remains unproven

Focuses on the absence of proof.

FAQs

How can I use "is of uncertain validity" in a sentence?

You can use "is of uncertain validity" to describe data, methods, or conclusions that lack sufficient evidence or have methodological flaws. For example, "The study's conclusions are interesting, but the data supporting them "is of uncertain validity"."

What's the difference between "is of uncertain validity" and "is invalid"?

"Is invalid" indicates that something is definitively false or incorrect, while ""is of uncertain validity"" suggests that the truth or accuracy is unknown or questionable but not necessarily false. The latter implies a need for further investigation.

Which is correct: "is of uncertain validity" or "has uncertain validity"?

Both "is of uncertain validity" and "has uncertain validity" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Is of uncertain validity" is more common when describing the state of something, while "has uncertain validity" emphasizes the possession of that quality. In most cases, they are interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "is of uncertain validity"?

Alternatives include "has questionable validity", "possesses dubious validity", or "lacks definitive validation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.