it is ambiguous whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is ambiguous whether" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate uncertainty or a lack of clarity about a particular situation or topic. For example, "It is ambiguous whether the teacher will be able to finish the lesson on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"This duality represents an ambiguous reality; here the insect is awaiting its fate, and it is ambiguous whether it will make it out alive or not.

Vice

It is ambiguous whether that means prior notification is the general presumption or the exception.

The New York Times

It is ambiguous whether the baseline characteristics of the control and treatment groups were equivalent.

Progress in Orthodontics

In intermediate cases (γ > 0) it is ambiguous whether more weight placed on revenues will increase prices with the present restrictions imposed on the parameters.

European Transport Research Review

However, the nickel content at the core is still high and accordingly, it is ambiguous whether the tungsten-rich region is cored or attached on the surface.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Although it is ambiguous whether the loss of training opportunities matters more to blacks than to whites, women's weaker labor force attachment implies less incentive for firms to invest in human capital for them.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And yet it's ambiguous whether — as the program suggests — she's representing the husband alone.

The New York Times - Arts

"I found the original more uncanny than scary, and that's what we tried to emphasise more than any kind of shock tactics," says Strickland. "It's ambiguous whether it's a scientific anomaly the play is investigating or something supernatural".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There, it was ambiguous whether he was referring to the steelworkers union or to unionized workers in general.

Los Angeles Times

However, it is ambiguous as to whether to implement the procedure to recover or continue tracking.

ROBOMECH Journal

It is ambiguous as to whether this system performs collision detection on the PhysX IC, the CPU or a combination of both.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is ambiguous whether", clearly state the different possibilities or interpretations to ensure the reader understands the nature of the ambiguity. This provides context and allows the reader to evaluate the uncertainty effectively.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions when using the phrase "it is ambiguous whether". Instead, present the various possibilities and acknowledge the lack of certainty. Failure to do so can undermine the credibility of your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is ambiguous whether" functions as an introductory clause to express uncertainty or a lack of clarity regarding a particular situation or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is ambiguous whether" serves as a valuable tool for expressing uncertainty and acknowledging multiple interpretations in both formal and informal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse fields, especially science and news media. While alternatives like "it is unclear whether" and "it is questionable whether" offer similar meanings, "it is ambiguous whether" specifically highlights the existence of multiple valid interpretations. By using this phrase judiciously, writers can demonstrate a nuanced understanding of complex issues and avoid making overly assertive claims when uncertainty persists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is questionable whether

Replaces "ambiguous" with "questionable", suggesting doubt or skepticism.

it is uncertain whether

Substitutes "ambiguous" with "uncertain", indicating a lack of definite knowledge.

it is unclear whether

Uses "unclear" in place of "ambiguous", highlighting a lack of clarity or understanding.

it is equivocal whether

Utilizes "equivocal" instead of "ambiguous", suggesting that the evidence is open to multiple interpretations.

it is controversial whether

Emphasizes that there are differing opinions or debate surrounding the issue.

it is doubtful whether

Replaces "ambiguous" with "doubtful", conveying a sense of disbelief or improbability.

it is obscure whether

Replaces "ambiguous" with "obscure", indicating that the information is hidden or not easily understood.

it is dubious whether

Substitutes "ambiguous" with "dubious", suggesting that the matter is suspicious or unreliable.

the matter is unresolved whether

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the unresolved nature of the situation.

the issue remains open whether

Indicates that the question is still under consideration and has not been decided.

FAQs

How do I use "it is ambiguous whether" in a sentence?

Use "it is ambiguous whether" to introduce uncertainty or a lack of clarity about a situation. For example, "It is ambiguous whether the new policy will improve employee morale" indicates doubt about the policy's effect.

What can I say instead of "it is ambiguous whether"?

You can use alternatives like "it is questionable whether", "it is uncertain whether", or "it is unclear whether" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "it is ambiguous whether" or "it is unclear whether"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and express a lack of clarity. "It is ambiguous whether" suggests multiple possible interpretations, while "it is unclear whether" simply means something is not well understood. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it is ambiguous whether" and "it is not clear whether"?

The phrases are very similar. "It is ambiguous whether" implies that different interpretations exist, whereas "it is not clear whether" simply indicates a lack of understanding or information.