of ambiguous character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of ambiguous character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unclear, vague, or open to multiple interpretations. Example: "The instructions provided were of ambiguous character, leading to confusion among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We used these data to investigate the effect of ambiguous character and outgroup inclusion on both the rates of molecular evolution and the TMRCA of Carabus.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The basic version of the dinucleotide odds ratio calculation (Burge et al., 1992) is used without taking into account the occurrence of ambiguous characters such as N.

Bioinformatics

Overall, we have conducted a total of 152 independent calibration analyses on individual and concatenated DNA matrices, using different outgroups, clock models, partition schemes and alternative treatments of ambiguous characters.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The sequence reads from all four samples were analysed according to AGRF quality control measures; adaptor or contaminant sequences were removed and reads containing long stretches of ambiguous characters were clipped.

BMC Genomics

Major differences on both the rates and the TMRCA of Carabus are obtained in the case of the nuclear ribosomal genes, which reach a fourfold variation between analyses involving different clock models, as well as inclusion/exclusion of ambiguous characters and/or outgroups.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Alternative choices of clock model, partitioning scheme, treatment of ambiguous characters, and outgroup inclusion resulted in rate increments ranging from 28% (HUWE1) to 1000% (LSU-B and ITS2) and increments in the TMRCA of Carabus ranging from 8.4% (cox1-A) to 540% (ITS2).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

This dream of a transition to a new king within the same dynasty, critics say, is an apt reflection of the ambiguous character of the protests, animated by the democratic spirit of the Arab Spring uprisings but also by nostalgia.

The New York Times

Distribution of the ambiguous character states is highly uneven, as four terminals (Histriobdellidae, Sphaerodoridae, Aberranta, Parapodrilus) are represented by two data partitions only (MOR + 18S).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Women stepping out of conventional roles are the subjects of Dave Green's two photographs of sexually ambiguous characters who simultaneously conceal and reveal themselves.

The New York Times

In contrast, the processing of neutral faces was related to a relatively negative emotion, possibly due to the ambiguous character of the neutral faces (Table 3).

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Luckily, the premiere speaks for itself, offering a gripping, handsomely-produced hour laden with mystery, a slew of creative (and disgusting) special effects, and a number of intriguingly ambiguous characters, lead by "Breaking Bad's" Dean Norris, "Pan Am's" Mike Vogel and "Twilight's" Rachelle Lefevre.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of ambiguous character" when you want to convey that something or someone's nature or qualities are not easily defined or understood. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and discussions where nuanced descriptions are necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "of ambiguous character" when simpler alternatives like "unclear" or "vague" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of ambiguous character" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, as seen in Ludwig's examples. It indicates that the noun it modifies possesses qualities that are not clearly defined or easily understood.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of ambiguous character" serves to describe entities or situations lacking clear definition or possessing qualities open to multiple interpretations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, while highlighting its formal register and frequent application in science, news, and encyclopedia contexts. When you need a simpler expression, "of unclear nature" offers a great alternative. Remember to reserve "of ambiguous character" for situations where precision and formality are important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with an unclear nature

Focuses on the lack of clarity regarding the fundamental qualities.

with a questionable disposition

Highlights doubts about the person's or thing's inherent inclinations.

with a dubious reputation

Emphasizes uncertainty related to the perceived standing or trustworthiness.

with a nebulous essence

Indicates that the core nature or identity is vague and undefined.

with a blurred identity

Focuses on the lack of clear and distinct attributes.

with an uncertain quality

Emphasizes doubts related to an item's level of excellence or suitability.

with a vague demeanor

Addresses the lack of clarity in someone's behavior or presence.

having a mixed profile

Highlights the presence of both positive and negative or uncertain attributes.

with shifting allegiances

Implies a lack of fixed loyalty or affiliation.

whose motives are obscure

Focuses specifically on the opaqueness of underlying motivations.

FAQs

How can I use "of ambiguous character" in a sentence?

You can use "of ambiguous character" to describe something or someone whose nature is unclear or open to interpretation. For example, "The situation was "of ambiguous character", making it difficult to determine the best course of action."

What are some alternatives to "of ambiguous character"?

Alternatives include "of unclear nature", "of dubious character", or simply "unclear" or "vague", depending on the specific context.

Is "of ambiguous character" formal or informal?

"Of ambiguous character" is generally considered a formal phrase. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal settings.

What's the difference between "of ambiguous character" and "morally ambiguous"?

"Of ambiguous character" describes a general lack of clarity or definition, while "morally ambiguous" specifically refers to situations or characters whose ethical status is unclear or questionable.