not yet defined

USAGE SUMMARY

"not yet defined" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase when something has not been given a clear meaning or explanation. For example, "The consequences of this actions are not yet defined."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Monroe's position is not yet defined.

The New York Times - Sports

The government has not yet defined that term precisely.

The New York Times

Descriptive representatives also work when political positions are not yet defined.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Fort Blossom" suggests an uninhibited search for a new direction, not yet defined.

The New York Times - Arts

The scope of the partnership and access is not yet defined.

The New York Times

Spam, group mails, other email specific uses are not yet defined.

The Guardian

Ms. Smith's role at the law school is not yet defined.

The New York Times

According to Coach Tom Coughlin, the Giants have not yet defined exact roles for each back.

The New York Times - Sports

"The problem is well-understood but the solution is not yet defined.

The Economist

"They have not yet defined, in an emphatic way, what makes actively managed E.T.F.'s a better mousetrap," he said.

The New York Times

As Rooney notes, "The role of antiretrovirals in H.I.V. prevention is not yet defined and not yet broadly accepted".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not yet defined" when you want to emphasize that something lacks a clear or precise meaning at the present time, suggesting that a definition is expected or needed in the future. It is effective in academic writing, technical specifications, and policy discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "not yet defined" as a direct substitute for 'undefined' in programming contexts. While both imply a lack of definition, 'undefined' has a specific technical meaning in code where "not yet defined" would be inappropriate. Rely on specific programming terminology where applicable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not yet defined" functions as a qualifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that modifies a noun. It indicates the state of lacking a clear or precise definition at the present time, implying that a definition is anticipated or required in the future. This aligns with Ludwig's finding that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not yet defined" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an adjective phrase to indicate that something lacks a clear or precise meaning at the present time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. Its primary purpose is to convey uncertainty or incompleteness, often implying that a definition is anticipated in the future. The phrase is most frequently used in science, news and media, and formal/business contexts. When writing, remember that while alternatives like "undefined" exist, "not yet defined" specifically emphasizes the temporal aspect. As such, its impact goes beyond the semantic content by also signaling that lack of a definition is a temporary status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undefined

This is a shorter, single-word alternative, losing the emphasis on the 'yet' aspect of the original phrase.

as yet undefined

Swaps the order and emphasizes the 'as yet' portion, lending a slightly more formal tone.

not currently defined

Specifies that the lack of definition is a present state, which may change in the future.

still not defined

Adding 'still' reinforces the ongoing lack of definition but introduces a subtle difference in tone, suggesting anticipation or perhaps frustration.

not defined

This alternative removes 'yet', implying the definition may never occur or is unknown, changing the temporal aspect slightly.

remains to be defined

Shifts the focus to the action of defining, implying that the definition is an expected future event.

lacking a definition

This alternative focuses on the absence of a definition, rather than the temporal aspect of 'yet'.

definition pending

A concise, business-like alternative, implying a definition is expected but not yet available.

to be determined

Suggests that a determination or definition will be made at a later time, which may not necessarily be a formal 'definition'.

not concretely established

This focuses on the lack of firm establishment rather than merely the absence of a definition, implying practical application is also lacking.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "not yet defined"?

Use "not yet defined" when referring to concepts, roles, or terms that currently lack a precise or established meaning, implying that a definition is anticipated in the future. For example, 'The long-term effects of this policy are "to be determined"'.

What are some alternatives to "not yet defined" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "undefined", "to be determined", or "still not defined".

Is "not yet defined" the same as "undefined"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of definition, "not yet defined" implies a temporal aspect – that a definition is expected or needed in the future. "Undefined" is a more general term. Therefore, "not yet defined" adds an expectation, "undefined" is absolute.

How does the formality of "not yet defined" compare to its alternatives?

"Not yet defined" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. Alternatives like "definition pending" might be more appropriate in business settings, while "lacking a definition" is suitable for less formal contexts.