leave ambiguous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave ambiguous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something should remain unclear or not fully defined. Example: "In the final report, we decided to leave ambiguous the details of the project to allow for flexibility in future discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But second-degree strangulation — choking to the point of injury, impairment, stupor or unconsciousness — can leave ambiguous marks or no marks at all, making it tricky to prove.

The New York Times

Having said that, one of the questions that constantly challenges me is how literal I should make the work versus how much I leave ambiguous or suggestive.

The Guardian

How much of their larcenous behavior is real, however, and how much has been invented as a theatrical comment on the link between economics and violence they leave ambiguous.

The New York Times - Arts

bHere, and below, we leave ambiguous the number of lags to be included in expressions of this type; in principle one might include the entire past of a process, while for empirical estimation (or on domain-specific grounds) lags may be truncated at some finite number.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

This discussion highlights the important consideration that voluntary task-switching procedures, as adopted here, leave ambiguous the exact moment and mechanism of decision-making during the RSI.

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Precisely how he would hasten reunification was left ambiguous.

The New Yorker

Whether a murder has happened or not is left ambiguous.

The Guardian

The ending was clear enough; it was the beginning that was left ambiguous.

The New York Times - Arts

This time Nader physically ejects her in a scene that is left ambiguous.

The New York Times

It emerged that Abu Srour had left ambiguous messages on his Facebook page.

The Guardian

He left ambiguous whether his candidacy would continue, but not his reform "crusade".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leave ambiguous" when you want to suggest that something is intentionally not fully explained or defined, allowing for multiple interpretations or future flexibility.

Common error

Avoid using "leave ambiguous" too frequently, as it can make your writing seem evasive or unclear. Ensure the context justifies the intentional lack of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave ambiguous" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of intentionally making something unclear or open to multiple interpretations. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave ambiguous" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of intentionally making something unclear or open to interpretation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively uncommon, its use is appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. The phrase serves to allow flexibility, avoid premature commitments, or maintain secrecy. When using "leave ambiguous", be mindful of overusing it, as it can make your writing unclear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Leave open to interpretation

Emphasizes that multiple understandings are possible.

Intentionally vague

Indicates that the lack of clarity is deliberate.

Deliberately unclear

Highlights the intentional lack of clarity.

Keep vague

Focuses on maintaining a state of uncertainty rather than the act of causing it.

Remain undefined

Emphasizes the lack of definition or clarity.

Leave unresolved

Highlights that a decision or solution hasn't been reached.

Not fully explain

Focuses on the omission of a complete explanation.

Maintain uncertainty

Focuses on sustaining a state of doubt.

Obscure the details

Highlights the act of making the details unclear.

Keep under wraps

Suggests secrecy or concealment rather than ambiguity.

FAQs

How can I use "leave ambiguous" in a sentence?

You can use "leave ambiguous" to indicate that certain details are intentionally not specified. For example, "The contract negotiations left ambiguous the exact timeline for project completion".

What's the difference between "leave ambiguous" and "remain unclear"?

"Leave ambiguous" implies a deliberate choice to not clarify something, while "remain unclear" simply means something lacks clarity, regardless of intent.

Is it better to "leave ambiguous" or provide specific details?

It depends on the context. "Leaving ambiguous" can be useful when flexibility is needed, but specificity is better when clarity and precision are paramount.

What are some situations where it's appropriate to "leave ambiguous"?

It's appropriate to "leave ambiguous" in scenarios where complete information is not yet available, when multiple interpretations are acceptable, or when maintaining some level of secrecy is desired.