murky situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "murky situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand. Example: "The negotiations have led to a murky situation where neither party seems to know what the other truly wants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"It's a very murky situation," said Mr Babar.

Independent

Today's announcements are meant to bring clarity to an otherwise murky situation.

The Guardian

LUCIE, Fla .— The Mets have found themselves cautiously feeling their way through a murky situation in center field.

The New York Times

The conference's next move will be determined only once the murky situation in the Big 12 sorts itself out.

The New York Times - Sports

This creates a murky situation, and sports lawyers interviewed yesterday had various opinions about what Tampa Bay deserved.

The New York Times - Sports

Tom Smith is one of many undecided voters counting on the Senate debate tomorrow night to clarify a murky situation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But foreign policy often has to deal with ethically murky situations.

The Economist

Casuistry's attention to the details of cases can help open up a range of options for those caught in ethically murky situations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She records more than a decade of doomed relationships with a string of Mr. Wrongs: "Here I was, an experienced journalist, skilled at cutting a clear path through murky situations in war or politics, but love threw me".

The New York Times - Books

Keeley's skill is finding value in murky situations: companies exiting bankruptcy or being spun off from larger companies; thrifts and mutual insurers in the process of converting to public ownership; and utilities in trouble with regulators or those that have gone outside their area of expertise and are now in distress.

Forbes

And that's the best argument for using contractors: If we find ourselves in murky situations around the world, it's probably better to deploy shadowy companies, avoiding the Stars and Stripes bannered overhead.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "murky situation" when you want to convey a sense of complexity and uncertainty rather than simple ignorance or lack of information.

Common error

While "murky situation" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and technical language to describe the ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "murky situation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "murky" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "situation". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It describes a state of affairs that is not clear or easily understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "murky situation" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe unclear, confusing, or complex circumstances. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English. While versatile, it's most prevalent in news and media contexts and may require more precise alternatives in formal or academic writing. When using this phrase, providing specific details about the source of the murkiness enhances clarity. Alternatives include "unclear circumstances", "ambiguous scenario", and "confused state of affairs".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear circumstances

Replaces "situation" with a synonym and "murky" with a more direct term for lack of clarity.

ambiguous scenario

Substitutes "murky" with "ambiguous", highlighting the uncertain nature of the "situation".

confused state of affairs

Emphasizes the disarray and lack of order in the situation.

obscure set of events

Focuses on the hidden or unknown aspects of the unfolding events.

vague predicament

Highlights the indistinct and challenging nature of the situation.

hazy state

Uses "hazy" to evoke a sense of indistinctness and uncertainty about the current state.

muddled affair

Implies a messy and confusing state, often involving complexity.

complex issue

Shifts the focus to the intricate and difficult nature of the situation, presenting it as a problem.

indistinct scenario

Replaces "murky" with "indistinct", highlighting the poorly defined nature of the situation.

difficult to understand situation

Directly states the challenge in comprehending the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "murky situation" in a sentence?

You can use "murky situation" to describe scenarios that are unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand. For example: "The legal proceedings have created a "murky situation" for all parties involved".

What phrases can I use instead of "murky situation"?

Alternatives include "unclear circumstances", "ambiguous scenario", or "confused state of affairs", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "murky situation" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "murky situation" may sound informal in certain contexts. Consider more precise and technical alternatives like "unclear circumstances" or "ambiguous scenario" for formal documents.

What makes a situation "murky"?

A "murky situation" typically involves a lack of clear information, conflicting details, or underlying complexities that make it difficult to understand or predict outcomes.