non-transparent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "non-transparent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not clear, obvious, or easily understood, often in contexts like communication, processes, or materials. Example: "The company's pricing structure is non-transparent, making it difficult for customers to understand the true costs involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The contacts are thick and non-transparent.

Energy Procedia

Non-transparent, continuous lines = shortest pathway of interest.

Nature

Such a process would inevitably be largely non-transparent.

The Washington Post

However, these constructs can be large, thick and non-transparent.

Process Biochemistry

Many agencies mandated to fight corruption are underfunded and non-transparent themselves.

The Guardian

"It has been done in a non-transparent and non-upfront way.

The Guardian

There is a non-transparent scheme of successive ownership of offshore companies and funds.

The Guardian

"Much of what is happening in the UK is undisclosed and non-transparent lobbying".

The Guardian - Business

The main problem with these rules is that they are totally non-transparent.

The Guardian

Nonprofit leaders are feeling the pressure to give up blatantly non-transparent practices.

Harvard Business Review

However, what happens during the closed components of the process is entirely non-transparent.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like policies or procedures, use "non-transparent" to emphasize a lack of openness and potential for hidden agendas.

Common error

Avoid using "non-transparent" when a simpler word like "opaque" or "unclear" would suffice, especially when describing physical objects. "Non-transparent" is more impactful when applied to complex systems or processes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "non-transparent" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their lack of transparency, whether literal (in the case of physical objects) or figurative (in the case of processes or systems). As evidenced by Ludwig, this adjective adds a layer of critical assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "non-transparent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes a lack of clarity or openness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's effective for criticizing complex systems or processes and suggesting a lack of accountability. While it can describe physical objects, it's more impactful when applied to abstract concepts. Related terms include "opaque", "unclear", and "obscure". Its usage is frequent across News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nontransparent

A less common but directly synonymous term.

opaque

Implies a lack of transparency, making it difficult to see through or understand.

unclear

Suggests a lack of clarity or distinctness, making something difficult to perceive or comprehend.

obscure

Indicates something is vague, ambiguous, or not easily discovered or understood.

murky

Suggests something is dark, cloudy, or difficult to see through, both literally and figuratively.

inaccessible

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of accessing or understanding something.

veiled

Implies something is covered or concealed, making it difficult to see or understand directly.

hidden

Indicates something is deliberately concealed or not easily found.

secretive

Suggests a deliberate effort to keep something private or confidential.

confidential

Indicates that information is intended to be kept private and not disclosed.

FAQs

How can I use "non-transparent" in a sentence?

You can use "non-transparent" to describe something that lacks clarity or openness. For example, "The company's decision-making process is "non-transparent", making it difficult to understand how choices are made."

What's the difference between "non-transparent" and "opaque"?

"Opaque" primarily describes something that blocks light from passing through, while "non-transparent" can refer to a lack of clarity in both physical and abstract senses. A "non-transparent" policy might be difficult to understand, whereas an opaque object is simply not see-through.

What can I say instead of "non-transparent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unclear", "opaque", or "secretive".

Is "non-transparent" the same as "nontransparent"?

Yes, "non-transparent" and "nontransparent" are essentially synonymous, though "non-transparent" (with the hyphen) is more commonly used.