prevailing uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

'prevailing uncertainty' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation where there is doubt or insecurity among people, especially a feeling that seems to be shared by many. For example: The prevailing uncertainty about the outcome of the election had many people feeling anxious.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

As a result, decision makers' and public confidence in expertise may diminish, if an issue is repeatedly contested by opposing experts' opinions that may be elicited almost at any time, due to prevailing uncertainty [26, 27].

European Journal of Futures Research

The reason for the prevailing uncertainty lay in the visit to London of the Habima Theatre from Israel, amid fears of further disruptions of the sort that have lately greeted other Israeli cultural emissaries to the United Kingdom.

The New York Times - Arts

For scientists whatever is beyond their control can cause them nightmares and this prevailing uncertainty has made a lot of scientists from the U.K and the E.U. lose their sleep over it.

Forbes

"However, with the prevailing uncertainty in the economy, sky high fuel prices and a 25% hike in our air passenger duty fees, converting this sales growth into profit has not been possible".

BBC

Due to the prevailing uncertainty about forest management for maximal climatic benefit, Bellassen and Luyssaert (2014) propose that forest management should use win win strategies, which increase both forest stocks and timber harvest, through protecting trees from animals, or replacing dying or low productivity forests by healthier and more vigorous stands.

Forest Ecosystems

That said, there is clearly a mood among American business that follows the Zuckerman line and blames nearly everything that has occurred in this shaky economy on failures by Obama: the prevailing uncertainty, his overoptimism about recovery and the fact that he has, on occasion, uttered the word "fat cat" in reference to CEOs and Wall Streeters.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Tells of the prevailing uncertainties that exist with the coming of repeal, and some facts about the sale of liquor, the issuance of licenses, speakeasies, etc.

The New Yorker

Even though a few members of the committee wanted to cut rates right away, "they could accept a delay in light of prevailing uncertainties about the prospective performance of the economy," the minutes said.

The New York Times

… We should look for a new focus involving many elements to build an integral strategy". Despite smugglers' innovations and prevailing political uncertainty, Acosta, a 19-year navy veteran, is proud that the Pacific fleet has seized 25 tons of cocaine so far this year.

Los Angeles Times

In a supplementary and more exploratory step, we investigate if students' prevailing feelings of uncertainty during the interaction process, i.e. the extent of perceived situational uncertainty, moderate effects of AAD on either the quality of contributions or signalled willingness to contribute.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

their set-up clumsy and tentative in the face of their opponents' frantic press, and uncertainty prevailing with so many players straining to rediscover form and rhythm.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prevailing uncertainty", ensure the context clearly indicates what area or situation the uncertainty applies to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "prevailing uncertainty" without specifying the subject. Vague usage dilutes the impact. Instead, specify the area affected such as "prevailing uncertainty in the market".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing uncertainty" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "prevailing" modifies the noun "uncertainty". It describes a state or condition of widespread or dominant doubt. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailing uncertainty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a widespread state of doubt or instability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. The phrase carries a neutral register, fitting professional and academic discourse. While its usage is common, specifying the subject of uncertainty enhances clarity and impact. Alternatives like "widespread ambiguity" or "general instability" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Ensure you avoid overgeneralizing its scope for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread ambiguity

Focuses on the lack of clarity and multiple interpretations.

general instability

Emphasizes the lack of steadiness or predictability.

overall unpredictability

Highlights the inability to foresee future events or outcomes.

pervasive doubt

Stresses the widespread feeling of disbelief or skepticism.

common apprehension

Indicates a shared feeling of anxiety or fear about the future.

rampant insecurity

Highlights a widespread lack of confidence and stability.

extensive vagueness

Emphasizes the lack of precision or detail.

broad indecision

Focuses on the widespread inability to make firm choices.

current ambiguity

Focuses on lack of clarity present at the moment.

present instability

Emphasizes the lack of steadiness at the moment.

FAQs

How can I use "prevailing uncertainty" in a sentence?

You can use "prevailing uncertainty" to describe a situation where doubt or insecurity is widespread. For example, "The prevailing uncertainty about the new policy is causing anxiety among employees."

What are some alternatives to "prevailing uncertainty"?

Alternatives include "widespread ambiguity", "general instability", or "pervasive doubt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See also "widespread ambiguity", "general instability", or "pervasive doubt".

What does "prevailing uncertainty" mean?

It refers to a situation where there is a widespread or dominant feeling of doubt, insecurity, or lack of clarity about something.

Is "prevailing uncertainty" formal or informal?

"Prevailing uncertainty" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, as it's frequently used in news, business, and academic writing.