it is ambiguous if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is ambiguous if" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing uncertainty or lack of clarity regarding a specific situation or statement. Example: "It is ambiguous if the meeting will take place next week or if it has been postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But that body-shape is also found in one of the Palearctic species (A. duvergeri Gobert, 1874) and it is ambiguous if this is the apomorphic or plesiomorphic state in the genus.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The meaning(s) of 'in', if it is ambiguous, seem to revolve around containment, but at a more fine-grained level, the types of containment can seem wildly distinct.

SEP

Ambiguity In general, an expression is ambiguous if it has more than one meaning.

SEP

A prospect is ambiguous if the outcomes occur with unknown or only partially known probabilities.

SEP

(C ) The binary scheme in (B ) is ambiguous if the grid field width at scale i exceeds the grid periodicity at scale i + 1.

eLife

This might have been more interesting, and certainly more daring, if it had been ambiguous: if we could never be sure if Nick can really hear what women are thinking, or if it is just a kind of paranoid psychosis - which would explain why all the remarks he hears are superficially embarrassing, but fundamentally flattering.

The Guardian - Film

In such a situation, it would be ambiguous if we consider two signature hubs as functionally equivalent (reproducible) when they are associated with different parts of the pathway through their interaction proteins.

BMC Systems Biology

"She is certainly a conservative, and she will look at the law and if it's ambiguous, she would take the conservative interpretation," Professor Eads said.

The New York Times

"And if it was ambiguous why  did he not contact us or destroy the samples when we were there?" The full impact of Younger's work has yet to be felt.

Independent

If it's ambiguous, that's OK, too.' Anyway, Roth's real concern in Indignation is to explore the world of a Jewish boy, born and raised in Newark in the Thirties and Forties, a young man who flees his over-protective parents to enrol in a liberal arts college away from home and come of age in the America of the Fifties, a young man curiously similar, in outward appearance, to Roth himself.

The Guardian - Books

Kennedy seemed troubled by the idea that, in a dispute with such huge stakes, an individual agency could have so much discretion: "Well, if it's ambiguous, then we think about Chevron.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is ambiguous if", ensure the context clearly defines what aspect is uncertain. Provide enough information for the reader to understand the nature of the ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is ambiguous if" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "I'm not sure if" or "it's unclear" are more appropriate for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is ambiguous if" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a clause expressing uncertainty or a lack of clarity. As Ludwig explains, it indicates that the truth or interpretation of a condition is not definitively established. The examples show it framing conditions within a broader context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is ambiguous if" serves to introduce a condition where clarity is lacking and multiple interpretations are possible. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it is more appropriate for formal, scientific, or technical writing, rather than casual conversation. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear, and consider more straightforward alternatives for informal communication. The phrase functions to communicate a sense of uncertainty and interpretational flexibility regarding a specific condition, but may not be needed depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's unclear whether

Emphasizes a lack of clarity rather than specific ambiguity.

it's uncertain whether

Focuses on the uncertainty surrounding a particular situation.

it remains to be seen if

Highlights that the outcome is yet to be determined.

the ambiguity lies in whether

Directly addresses the presence of ambiguity regarding a specific condition.

there's ambiguity regarding if

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes the existence of ambiguity.

it is not clear if

Indicates a lack of clarity or understanding about a certain condition.

it's debatable whether

Suggests that the matter is open to discussion and disagreement.

the question is whether

Poses a direct question regarding the condition in question.

the situation is unclear concerning if

Highlights the lack of clarity in the overall situation related to a condition.

it is open to interpretation if

Indicates that the matter can be understood in multiple ways.

FAQs

How can I use "it is ambiguous if" in a sentence?

Use "it is ambiguous if" to express uncertainty or a lack of clear understanding about a specific condition or situation. For example, "It is ambiguous if the new policy will apply to existing contracts".

What phrases are similar to "it is ambiguous if"?

Alternatives include "it's unclear whether", "it's uncertain whether", or "it remains to be seen if".

When is it appropriate to use "it is ambiguous if"?

This phrase is suitable for formal writing, scientific reports, and situations where precise language is necessary to convey uncertainty or a lack of clarity.

What's the difference between "it is ambiguous if" and "it is unclear if"?

While similar, "it is ambiguous if" emphasizes that something has multiple possible interpretations, while "it is unclear if" simply indicates a lack of clarity or understanding.