is rather indistinct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather indistinct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unclear, vague, or not easily defined. Example: "The explanation provided was rather indistinct, leaving many questions unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Age in these memories is rather indistinct.

The New Yorker

Angry, Vladimir Brik is rather indistinct; he could use some of Jozef Pronek's bumbling, Pnin-like charm.

The New Yorker

More common are problems involving redundant publication and self-plagiarism, where the boundary between acceptable behaviour (attempting to exploit the results of one's research as fully and widely as possible) and unacceptable behaviour (in particular, misleading the reader as to the originality of one's publications) is rather indistinct and open to interpretation.

Research Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This suspicion may be increased where, as is often the case, the rules for what is regarded as current or capital are rather indistinct.

Encyclopedia Britannica

hOGG1 staining positivity in benign epithelial structures was rather indistinct, generally negative.

British Journal of Cancer

The SDs in the Suter et al paper presumably overestimate (perhaps substantially) the actual biological variability of the laminar borders, simply because the borders in M1 are rather indistinct and the measurements were made by eye.

eLife

The two layers of white matter in the deep subdivision are often rather indistinct and do not appear to demarcate cellular distributions.

BioMed Research International

The escarpment is sharply defined or rather indistinct depending on whether the plateau edge rocks are hard-overlying-soft or are of undifferentiated hardness.

Britannica

Finally, we have found that M281 does not define a separate sub-lineage within E-M35; rather it is phylogenetically indistinct from the newly discovered V16 mutation and marks all the five E-M215* chromosomes reported by Cruciani et al. [4].

Plosone

(Brickman, 2005: 898 98) There is clearly a productive line of analysis, but when accounting for this situation historically, Brickman attributes it to a rather indistinct 'particular social bias' (2005: 88).

History of the Human Sciences

It is only decades later, long after Tom has married again, that Keggie repairs her relationship with her mum, who retains a rather indistinct outline in this father-centred version of events.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is rather indistinct", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking clarity. Provide additional information to mitigate potential confusion.

Common error

While acceptable, relying heavily on "is rather indistinct" can make your writing sound passive. Use stronger verbs and more specific adjectives to convey a lack of clarity with greater impact. For example, instead of "the details are rather indistinct", try "the details remain elusive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather indistinct" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject by describing its quality of being unclear or lacking definition. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase attributes a state of ambiguity or vagueness to various nouns.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is rather indistinct" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something lacking clarity or definition. As verified by Ludwig AI, it functions as a predicate adjective, typically found in neutral contexts across diverse domains like Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias. While acceptable, writers should consider using stronger verbs or more specific adjectives to avoid sounding passive. Alternatives such as "is somewhat vague" or "is not well-defined" can provide greater precision. When using "is rather indistinct", ensure the context clarifies what aspect lacks clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat vague

Replaces "rather indistinct" with "somewhat vague", altering the degree of uncertainty.

is relatively unclear

Uses "relatively unclear" to indicate a degree of ambiguity.

is not well-defined

Directly states the lack of clear definition.

is quite blurred

Substitutes "indistinct" with "blurred", emphasizing a lack of clear boundaries.

is somewhat ambiguous

Replaces "rather indistinct" with "somewhat ambiguous", shifting the focus to the possibility of multiple interpretations.

is fairly obscure

Replaces "rather indistinct" with "fairly obscure", implying a lack of clarity and difficulty in understanding.

is not clearly delineated

Highlights the absence of distinct boundaries or separations.

is a bit hazy

Uses "a bit hazy" to suggest a lack of clarity, similar to being indistinct.

is difficult to discern

Focuses on the challenge of distinguishing or understanding something.

lacks definition

Emphasizes the absence of clear boundaries or characteristics.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is rather indistinct" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "is somewhat ambiguous", "lacks clear delineation", or "is not well-defined" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does "is rather indistinct" mean?

It means something is unclear, vague, or lacks clear definition. It suggests a lack of sharpness or precision in boundaries or understanding.

Is "is rather indistinct" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is rather indistinct" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both spoken and written language.

What are some synonyms for "is rather indistinct"?

Synonyms include "is somewhat vague", "is quite blurred", or "is fairly obscure". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of ambiguity you want to express.