it is unsure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is unsure" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate expression would be "it is uncertain." Example: "Given the current circumstances, it is uncertain whether the event will take place as planned."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Avon's Parisian office says only current orders will be guaranteed and it is unsure if its self-employed representatives will be able to get supplies after the end of October.

BBC

Yesterday, at a gathering of American Express employees at Madison Square Garden, Kenneth Chenault, the chief executive, said that the company would keep its headquarters in the city, though it is unsure when it can return to the office space it owns in the World Financial Center.

The New York Times

And while the film is lively and engaging, it also, in the end, feels a little thin, largely because it is unsure of how earnestly to treat its own lessons about fate, ambition and brotherly love.

The New York Times

The company concedes it is unsure of the full extent of the theft.

The Economist

It is unsure if the two can be more than tactical allies.

The Economist

Even Hope Now says it is unsure how effective it is.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Con Edison said it was unsure why its 138,000-volt feeder cable, which supplies electricity to the railroad's overhead power lines, had failed.

The New York Times

Game said that while it was trying to resolve the matter "as quickly as possible", it was unsure if its efforts would be successful.

BBC

In its latest statement, the company said it was unsure when the game would be back online although "things are looking good".

BBC

The chain also said it was unsure how costs for ingredients like beef would affect it.

The New York Times

The DWP said it was unsure where this figure came from.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "it is uncertain", "it is unclear", or "it is not sure" to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of using "unsure" as a direct replacement for "uncertain" in formal writing. While colloquially understood, "it is unsure" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Always choose the standard form: "it is uncertain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is unsure" functions as a statement expressing uncertainty or a lack of definite knowledge. Ludwig AI points out that this phrasing is not considered correct in standard written English, advising the use of "it is uncertain" instead.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

39%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it is unsure" is relatively common, it's important to recognize that it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Ludwig AI recommends using more appropriate alternatives such as "it is uncertain", "it is unclear", or "it is not sure", especially in formal contexts. This ensures clarity and maintains a professional tone in your writing. Despite its prevalence across news and media sources, opting for grammatically sound alternatives enhances the credibility and precision of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is uncertain

Replaces "unsure" with "uncertain", providing a grammatically standard alternative.

it is not sure

Uses a negative construction to express a similar lack of certainty.

it is doubtful

Emphasizes the element of doubt regarding a particular outcome or fact.

it is unclear

Highlights the lack of clarity or definite information.

it remains to be seen

Indicates that the outcome is still pending and not yet known.

the outcome is unknown

Focuses on the state of the outcome being indefinite.

it is indefinite

Uses "indefinite" to stress the lack of a clear or fixed state.

it is up in the air

An idiomatic expression suggesting the situation is unresolved.

the situation is fluid

Implies the situation is changing and unpredictable.

it is yet to be determined

Indicates the final decision or result has not been established.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "it is unsure"?

Alternatives include "it is uncertain", "it is unclear", or "it is not sure". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "it is unsure" grammatically correct?

No, "it is unsure" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Use "it is uncertain" instead.

Can I use "it is unsure" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "it is unsure" in formal contexts. Opt for more standard alternatives such as "it is uncertain" or "it is unclear" to maintain a professional tone.

When is it acceptable to use "it is unsure"?

While generally discouraged in formal writing, "it is unsure" might be acceptable in informal conversation or less formal writing where a more casual tone is appropriate.