navigating ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "navigating ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is dealing with uncertain or unclear situations, often in decision-making or problem-solving scenarios. Example: "In today's fast-paced business environment, leaders must excel at navigating ambiguity to make informed decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

At Becker, we are reconceiving our general education curriculum to concentrate on developing tools to navigate ambiguity, divergent and propositional thinking and social and emotional intelligence.

Huffington Post

"The greatest challenge ahead is navigating legal ambiguities and regulatory push-back," said Josiah Tullis, Canary co-founder.

TechCrunch

Originals by Adam Grant To succeed in a future workforce where entire industries are expanding and contracting at an alarming pace, students will need to learn how to navigate the ambiguity of life and unleash their originality as lifelong learners.

Huffington Post

In any slump, when confused, help yourself navigate through ambiguity and chaos by simply orienting yourself to the objective, whether that's a project's objective or your own career or personal life goal.

Huffington Post

Then, they learn to navigate in that ambiguity.

Huffington Post

We need to inculcate the skills to navigate that world, handle ambiguity and ignorance, and become more purpose-driven learners.

TechCrunch

The underrated musical successor to her smash "The Worst," Jhené Aiko again navigates love's ambiguities with songbird suave.

Vice

Faced with the variability, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity they need to safely navigate through uncharted territory, with staff and citizens alongside them.

The Guardian

The book emphasizes the value of scenarios in navigating what it calls TUNA conditions: turbulence; uncertainty; novelty and ambiguity.

Huffington Post

If leaders can master these strange waters, they will soon learn that these characteristics are consistent with the psychological openness and tolerance of uncertainty, ambiguity and change, which enable the best traders to navigate the marketplace.

Forbes

It provides pat answers, and it's much easier to navigate life with answers, even bad ones, than to try to wade through all of this ambiguity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "navigating ambiguity", ensure the context clearly defines the area or situation where ambiguity exists. This provides clarity and prevents confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "navigating ambiguity" without specifying the source or area of ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'Leaders must be good at navigating ambiguity', specify 'Leaders must be good at navigating ambiguity in rapidly changing markets' to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "navigating ambiguity" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, describing the act of skillfully moving through situations characterized by uncertainty or lack of clarity. It implies a proactive approach to dealing with complexity, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "navigating ambiguity" describes the ability to skillfully manage uncertain or unclear situations. As determined by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and often used in professional contexts such as business and leadership. While the phrase itself is relatively straightforward, effective use involves providing clear context about the specific area of ambiguity. Alternatives include "handling uncertainty" and "managing vagueness", though the best choice depends on the nuanced meaning you wish to convey. Because there are no example sentences, the frequency is classified as rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

handling uncertainty

Focuses on managing the state of being uncertain rather than the act of moving through it.

managing vagueness

Emphasizes the control and direction of something not clearly expressed or defined.

maneuvering through uncertainty

Highlights the skillful and tactical aspect of dealing with uncertain situations.

dealing with uncertainty

A more general term for addressing or confronting uncertain situations.

addressing ambiguity

Implies a more direct and problem-solving approach to unclear situations.

resolving uncertainty

Suggests finding solutions to unclear or undecided matters, aiming for clarity.

clarifying obscurity

Focuses on making something obscure or vague clear and understandable.

untangling complexity

Emphasizes the process of simplifying intricate or complicated situations.

deciphering uncertainty

Implies interpreting or understanding uncertain situations, similar to decoding.

interpreting vagueness

Focuses on explaining or understanding something that is not clearly defined or expressed.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "navigating ambiguity" in a sentence?

To effectively use "navigating ambiguity", ensure you provide context about the specific area or situation where ambiguity exists. For example: "Successful project managers are adept at navigating ambiguity in project requirements".

What are some alternatives to "navigating ambiguity"?

You can use alternatives like "handling uncertainty", "managing vagueness", or "maneuvering through uncertainty" depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "navigating ambiguity" or "reducing ambiguity"?

"Navigating ambiguity" focuses on maneuvering through uncertain situations, while "reducing ambiguity" implies diminishing or eliminating the uncertainty altogether. The choice depends on whether you are accepting and working within ambiguity or actively trying to remove it.

In what contexts is "navigating ambiguity" most commonly used?

"Navigating ambiguity" is commonly used in contexts related to business strategy, project management, leadership, and situations where decision-making under uncertainty is required.