it is indeterminate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is indeterminate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that lacks a definite or clear outcome, value, or state. Example: "In this mathematical problem, the solution is complex, and it is indeterminate whether a unique answer exists."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Consider Everest and some precisely defined hunk of rock, ice and snow, Rock, of which it is indeterminate whether its boundaries coincide with those of Everest.

SEP

One cannot infer the existence of an individual who is indeterminately identical to Sue from the fact that it is indeterminate whether Sue (or rather Morgan) is Harry's best friend.

SEP

Analogously, one cannot infer the existence of an individual that is indeterminately identical to the mended ship from the fact that it is indeterminate whether Theseus II is the mended ship.[29] The prima facie problem with this response is that there do not seem to be multiple objects such that it's indeterminate which one 'Theseus II' picks out.

SEP

For, if it is indeterminate, the movement within it will be infinite; and that we have already shown to be an impossibility.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr. Robinson's fantastic throne, like much else in this fine show, is as stirring as it is indeterminate in meaning: made from floating scraps of used furniture, it could be coming together or blowing apart.

The New York Times

At best, it is indeterminate.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

T.SPOT.TB was indeterminate in 2 cases and QFN-G-IT was indeterminate in other 2 cases (Figure 1).

Plosone

QFT-IT was indeterminate in 19 cases (16%), 14 were due to low mitogen responses and 5 due to a high nil response.

Plosone

It was indeterminate and denoted too much haziness.

The New Yorker

Call me whatever you wish; it's indeterminate.

The New York Times

You remove the possibility to say, oh, it's indeterminate irrelevant.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is indeterminate" when you want to convey that a particular value, outcome, or state cannot be precisely determined or predicted.

Common error

Avoid using "it is indeterminate" when the situation is simply uncertain due to a lack of information. "Indeterminate" implies a fundamental inability to determine a value, not just a current lack of knowledge. For example, instead of saying "The winner is indeterminate", consider "The winner is uncertain" /s/the+winner+is+uncertain if the results are not yet known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is indeterminate" functions as a statement expressing a lack of definite or clear outcome, value, or state. Ludwig AI shows this phrase appears in contexts where precision is lacking, such as philosophical discussions or scientific measurements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is indeterminate" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote the absence of a fixed or determinable state. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across academic, scientific, and journalistic domains. While technically accurate, remember to wield it judiciously; using it in place of simple uncertainty can diminish the communicative effectiveness of your statements. Alternatives such as "it is uncertain" or "it is unclear" /s/it+is+unclear may be more apt in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is uncertain

Expresses doubt or lack of sureness, focusing on the lack of a definite outcome.

it is unclear

Highlights the lack of clarity or understanding surrounding a subject.

it is indefinite

Emphasizes the lack of specific limits or boundaries.

it is ambiguous

Indicates that something can be interpreted in multiple ways.

it is unresolved

Suggests that an issue or question has not been settled or decided.

it is debatable

Implies that different viewpoints can be argued.

it is अपरिमेय

It represents "immeasurable" in Hindi

it is contingent

Highlights the uncertainty of dependance on some circumstances or conditions not yet established.

it is up in the air

Suggests a status of uncertainty or lack of resolution.

it is borderline

Indicates something that lies on the edge or boundary of a category.

FAQs

How can I use "it is indeterminate" in a sentence?

Use "it is indeterminate" to describe situations where a value, outcome, or state cannot be definitively established. For example: "Due to conflicting evidence, it is indeterminate whether the suspect was at the crime scene."

What phrases are similar to "it is indeterminate"?

Similar phrases include "it is uncertain", "it is unclear", and "it is indefinite", all of which express a lack of clarity or a definitive answer.

When is it appropriate to use "it is indeterminate"?

Use "it is indeterminate" when discussing complex systems, philosophical concepts, or situations where there is no definitive resolution or measurement possible. For instance, in quantum mechanics, the position of a particle might be said to be indeterminate until measured.

Is "it is indeterminate" the same as "it is unknown"?

No, "it is indeterminate" suggests a more fundamental inability to determine something, whereas "it is unknown" simply means the information is currently not available but could potentially be discovered.