reduce ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to suggest that an unclear statement or passage should be made more precise. For example: If we want to make sure our customers understand our product offerings, we should take steps to reduce ambiguity in our product descriptions.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He states that our treatment only considers code changes that reduce ambiguity of codons from an initial ambiguous state while his treatment considers reassignments of amino acids on codon blocks.

Biology Direct

To help reduce ambiguity, modern usage attaches specific words to specific functions.

The New Yorker

Managers and leaders must make sense of those things and reduce ambiguity.

Harvard Business Review

When this can't happen for logistical reasons, try to reduce ambiguity.

Harvard University

To reduce ambiguity there is an urgent need to demonstrate NCs' contribution to health care outcomes.

Collegian

To reduce ambiguity, high quantiles of a given quantity should be preferred.

Cold Regions Science and Technology

One way to address this issue is to reduce ambiguity in the whole systems approach.

Design Studies

With that problem in mind, Mr. Demario said, "We carefully deliberated about what we were authorized to do under the statute" to reduce ambiguity.

The New York Times

The candidate values of the primary ambiguity group is limited to two cycles through this step, and the (4,1,1…1) pattern can reduce ambiguity search times.

Advances in Space Research

Receiver design for noise immunity alone provides no basis for choosing a signal with any specific character, therefore failing to reduce ambiguity.

Acta Astronautica

Our goal was to determine whether this single method would significantly reduce ambiguity in the assignment of HLA class I and II alleles.

Human Immunology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing technical documentation, use precise terminology to "reduce ambiguity" and ensure accurate interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "reduce ambiguity" without identifying the specific source of the ambiguity and how you intend to address it. General statements lack impact. Be specific about what you are clarifying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce ambiguity" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to minimize uncertainty or multiple interpretations. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to describe actions taken to improve clarity in communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce ambiguity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, across various domains including science, news, and business. It emphasizes the active effort to minimize multiple interpretations and improve clarity. When using the phrase, it's beneficial to be specific about the sources of ambiguity and the steps taken to address them. While synonyms such as "disambiguate meaning" and "clarify vagueness" exist, "reduce ambiguity" offers a direct and widely understood way to convey the need for precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disambiguate meaning

More directly addresses the issue of multiple possible interpretations.

clarify vagueness

Replaces "reduce" with "clarify" and "ambiguity" with "vagueness", emphasizing the act of making something more clear.

eliminate uncertainty

Focuses on removing doubt or unpredictability rather than directly addressing unclear language.

improve precision

Highlights making something more exact and accurate, which can indirectly reduce ambiguity.

enhance clarity

Focuses on making something easier to understand, a broader concept than just reducing ambiguity.

minimize confusion

Shifts the focus to the effect on the audience, rather than the characteristic of the message itself.

resolve obscurity

Uses a more formal tone and focuses on overcoming a lack of clarity.

refine understanding

Shifts the emphasis from reducing an attribute of the message to improving the receiver's comprehension.

sharpen focus

Uses a more metaphorical approach, suggesting a narrowing of perspective.

specify details

Highlights the act of providing more concrete and particular information.

FAQs

How can I "reduce ambiguity" in my writing?

Use precise language, define key terms, provide context, and offer concrete examples to illustrate your points. Consider your audience and tailor your language to their level of understanding.

What's the difference between "reduce ambiguity" and "increase clarity"?

"Reduce ambiguity" focuses on eliminating multiple possible interpretations, while "increase clarity" aims to make something easier to understand. They are closely related but have slightly different emphases.

Is it always necessary to "reduce ambiguity"?

No, sometimes ambiguity can be useful for creative writing or political discourse. However, in technical, legal, and scientific writing, it's generally best to minimize ambiguity to ensure accurate communication.

What are some strategies for "reducing ambiguity" in a contract?

Define all key terms, use precise language, avoid vague or subjective phrases, and include specific examples to illustrate the parties' intentions. Consulting with a legal professional is always recommended.