more indistinct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more indistinct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the clarity or distinctness of two or more things, indicating that one is less clear than the other. Example: "As the fog rolled in, the landscape became more indistinct, blurring the outlines of the trees and hills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Literary criticism

Scientific research

General writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But at other times, your image is more indistinct – does this mean that my love for you is not true enough?

The New York Times

FDBS calculates out a detailed self-field profile for the uncompressed ITER TF conductors carrying uniform current at each cabling level; the layered self-field distribution becomes more indistinct for higher level subcable.

Fusion Engineering and Design

The journey outwards – and inwards – continues apace; if anything, America seems to have grown more indistinct and unreal in the camera's gaze of late, more David Lynch than Robert Frank.

The Guardian - Books

For some reason, some of the dialogue is actually subtitled, in sections which don't seem any more indistinct than the rest of the film, and Martin Compston's character often seems a little superfluous.

The Guardian - Film

But more relevant to this survey is that the pulse of those X-tra factors seemed to grow fainter as the decade proceeded, or at least more indistinct and muddled.

The Guardian - Music

He abandoned many of the topical themes of the 1870s the café-concerts, shop scenes, and brothels, for example—and replaced them with a new phase of concentration on the human figure in intimate, if more indistinct, settings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The electrical shutter fired so fast that it captured in startling detail images of animals in motion that had formerly appeared in photographs as little more than indistinct blurs.

The New York Times

These shifts reflect changes in the populations at risk, the advent of antibiotics, and improved detection of more clinically indistinct forms of infection.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

They are indistinct, more like figures in an allegory than like characters in a novel.

The Guardian - Books

One of the problems associated with use of confocal microscopy to demonstrate protein translocation to the limiting cell membranes is that, on fusion with the limiting membrane, any signal becomes more delocalized and indistinct.

Biochemical Journal

After a mile or more, the path became indistinct and the river forked at the Fofanny Glen.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more indistinct" when comparing the relative clarity of two or more subjects, ensuring the comparison is logical and the context supports the nuance of indistinctness rather than complete invisibility.

Common error

Avoid using "more indistinct" excessively in formal writing where precise language is paramount. Consider /s/less+clear alternatives like "less clear" or "more vague" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more indistinct" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a greater degree of lack of clarity or definition. As seen in Ludwig, it highlights a relative state of being less distinct than something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

50%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more indistinct" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's particularly useful for describing a relative lack of clarity or definition, often in descriptive or scientific writing. While versatile, consider alternatives like "less distinct" or "more blurred" depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid overuse in excessively formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less distinct

Indicates a lower degree of distinctness than something else, similar to the original phrase.

more blurred

Emphasizes the lack of sharp edges or clear boundaries.

more vague

Focuses on the lack of precision or detail in a description or concept.

less defined

Highlights the absence of clear boundaries or characteristics.

increasingly blurred

Suggests a gradual process of becoming less clear.

growing fainter

Implies a decrease in intensity or visibility.

becoming obscured

Focuses on something being hidden or blocked from view.

harder to discern

Emphasizes the difficulty in perceiving or understanding something.

less sharply delineated

Highlights the absence of clear and distinct outlines.

more amorphous

Suggests a lack of definite form or structure.

FAQs

How can I use "more indistinct" in a sentence?

You can use "more indistinct" to compare the relative clarity of two things, for example: "As the fog thickened, the outline of the building became "more indistinct"."

What are some alternatives to "more indistinct"?

Some alternatives include "less clear", "more blurred", or "more vague", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "more indistinct" grammatically correct?

Yes, "more indistinct" is grammatically correct. It is a comparative phrase used to indicate a greater degree of indistinctness.

When is it appropriate to use "more indistinct" over "less distinct"?

While both phrases are similar, "more indistinct" emphasizes a gradual blurring or loss of definition, whereas "less distinct" simply indicates a lower degree of clarity. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.