settle the ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "settle the ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of clarifying or resolving uncertainty in a situation or statement. Example: "To ensure everyone is on the same page, we need to settle the ambiguity surrounding the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Whose camera is going to catch whose camera catching what criminal behavior and whose camera is going to be the judge to settle the ambiguity?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

National regulators, which are expected to transpose the EU directive into their own laws by January 2007, need to settle the ambiguities by agreeing on definitions.

The Economist

Tragically lacking in the decisive video evidence that would have settled the ambiguity at their centre, Brown's killing has instead been claimed as a banner by both sides in a battle whose lines continue to be predicted largely and troublingly by race among the wider American public.

The Guardian

Settle the mind.

WikiHow

The Florida Supreme Court applied four traditional canons of construction to resolve the ambiguity of the Election Code: "First, it is well settled that where two statutory provisions are in conflict, the specific statute controls the general".

The New York Times

The interpretation of this "knotty" equation is by no means settled, due to the ambiguity of "inhibition sum" mentioned above.

SEP

Unwilling to settle for ambiguity, I continued with my questions: "As a Lutheran minister, how do you perceive Hindu murtis (sacred images)?

Huffington Post

Cosby settled the suit.

The New Yorker

That settled the match.

The New York Times - Sports

"It settles the problem".

Science Magazine

This phenotype is a cancer's cellular solution to its own self-referential stresses by which it attempts to settle environmental ambiguities within its own proscriptions.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "settle the ambiguity", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific ambiguity is being resolved. Provide sufficient detail so readers understand the issue at hand.

Common error

Avoid implying that using "settle the ambiguity" completely eliminates all possible interpretations. Instead, frame it as a process of clarification or reaching a consensus rather than absolute certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "settle the ambiguity" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of clarifying or resolving uncertainty. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a process aimed at making something more precise and less open to multiple interpretations. It's about bringing clarity to a situation or statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

37%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "settle the ambiguity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of clarifying something unclear or resolving a situation open to multiple interpretations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The phrase is most effective when the specific ambiguity is clearly defined, and its resolution is presented as a clarification rather than an absolute certainty. Alternatives such as "resolve the uncertainty" or "clarify the vagueness" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve the uncertainty

Focuses on eliminating the state of being uncertain rather than directly addressing ambiguity.

clarify the vagueness

Emphasizes making something vague more clear and defined.

clear up the confusion

Highlights the act of removing misunderstanding or lack of clarity.

resolve the equivocality

Addresses the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.

dispel the uncertainty

Focuses on removing the feeling of doubt and incredulity.

eliminate the obscurity

Focuses on removing what is not easily understood.

address the imprecision

Targets the lack of exactness and accuracy.

iron out the discrepancies

Implies smoothing out inconsistencies rather than addressing ambiguity directly.

rectify the indistinctness

Suggests correcting something that is not sharply defined or clear.

define the indefinable

Implies setting limits to what seems boundless and setting boundaries to what has no clear limits.

FAQs

How can I use "settle the ambiguity" in a sentence?

You can use "settle the ambiguity" to describe the act of clarifying something that is unclear or open to multiple interpretations. For instance: "The committee met to "settle the ambiguity" surrounding the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "settle the ambiguity"?

Alternatives include phrases like "resolve the uncertainty", "clarify the vagueness", or "clear up the confusion", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to "settle the ambiguity" or "resolve the ambiguity"?

Both "settle the ambiguity" and "resolve the ambiguity" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context, though "resolve" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What does it mean to "settle the ambiguity" in a legal context?

In a legal context, to "settle the ambiguity" means to interpret a law, contract, or other legal document in a way that removes or reduces uncertainty about its meaning or application. This often involves considering the intent of the drafters and relevant case law.