opaque documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opaque documents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe documents that are unclear, difficult to understand, or lacking transparency in their content or purpose. Example: "The report was filled with opaque documents that made it challenging to grasp the project's objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Vatican has yet to address questions on how such a low-ranking person could have organised such an effective media campaign, let alone read some of the more opaque documents, which were written in German.

Independent

Janet Tavakoli: Well, those things are helpful, but they're cosmetic in terms of dealing with the problems we just discussed, because these contracts are embedded in opaque documents.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

suit, Schamus employs speech-act theory, narratology and other interpretive frameworks to plumb the meanings of an opaque document consisting mostly of blacked-out pages.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is a somewhat bland, opaque document — a "scrubbed," meaning unclassified, version of something more candid — but it contained the essential ideas of "shaping," rather than reacting to, the rest of the world, and of preventing the rise of other superpowers.

The New Yorker

She was repeatedly referred to a prospectus, an opaque document that didn't summarize costs in a user-friendly fashion.

Forbes

"Unless a person was willing, as Chatterton and Kohler were, to ditch work and sneak off to Washington," Mr. Kurson writes, "chisel away at mountains of opaque original documents, sleep in fleabag motels, eat street-vendor hot dogs and run outside every two hours to shovel quarters into a parking meter, he would presume the history books to be correct".

The New York Times - Books

Presented in a dense manner almost guaranteed to make its findings opaque, the document does not seek to say how much money has disappeared in fraud or mismanagement.

The New York Times

Decision-making processes are often opaque, and obtaining relevant documents and papers can be problematic.

Health Policy and Planning

On the other hand, compound documents using opaque formats, like Microsoft Compound Document File Format, may contain undisclosed data such as authors name, organizational information of users involved, previously deleted text, machine related information, and much more.

Journal of Systems and Software

Though the tentative agreement by the P5+1 leaves more unsaid than said (and it may not be sustainable in Iran, which has made major concessions for benefits that, at least in the initial published document, remain opaque), it nonetheless will do nothing to calm Saudi paranoia.

Huffington Post

Leaked documents have linked the opaque company running the troll factory to structures close to the Kremlin, but there has been no hard evidence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal or financial reports, use "opaque documents" to suggest deliberate obfuscation. For instance, "The company presented investors with a series of opaque documents, making it difficult to assess the true financial health of the organization."

Common error

While "opaque documents" is appropriate in formal contexts, avoid using it in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "unclear documents" or "confusing documents" might be more suitable for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opaque documents" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "opaque" describes the quality of the documents, indicating that they are difficult to understand or lack transparency. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opaque documents" describes documents that are difficult to understand, often implying a deliberate attempt to obscure information. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While the phrase isn't overly common, choosing clearer alternatives like "unclear documents" or "ambiguous documents" can enhance clarity in less formal settings. Remember that while technically correct, "opaque documents" has a strong connotation and should be employed carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to understand documents

Directly states the challenge in comprehending the documents.

unclear documents

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the documents.

incomprehensible documents

Highlights the difficulty in understanding the documents.

ambiguous documents

Emphasizes the potential for multiple interpretations.

obscure documents

Stresses the hidden or vague nature of the documents.

impenetrable documents

Highlights the difficulty in accessing or understanding the content.

confusing documents

Focuses on the disorientation caused by the documents.

vague documents

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the documents.

documents lacking transparency

Highlights the absence of openness and clarity in the documents.

documents with hidden information

Focuses on the presence of concealed details within the documents.

FAQs

How can I use "opaque documents" in a sentence?

"Opaque documents" are best used to describe official or formal papers that are difficult to understand due to complex language, hidden information, or a lack of transparency. For example: "The investigation revealed a series of "opaque documents" that obscured the true nature of the transactions."

What are some alternatives to "opaque documents"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unclear documents", "ambiguous documents", or "incomprehensible documents" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "opaque documents"?

Use "opaque documents" when you want to emphasize the difficulty in understanding a document, often implying that the lack of clarity is intentional or designed to conceal information. It is particularly suitable in formal or professional contexts involving legal, financial, or political matters.

What does it mean when a document is described as "opaque"?

When a document is described as "opaque", it means it is not easily understood. The term suggests that the document's meaning is obscured, either intentionally through complex language or unintentionally through poor organization and lack of clarity.