significant ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations, statements, or data that are unclear or open to multiple interpretations, indicating that the level of ambiguity is considerable. Example: "The report presented significant ambiguity regarding the project's outcomes, leaving stakeholders uncertain about the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Another significant ambiguity is that the sacred manifests itself in concrete forms that are also profane.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was significant ambiguity in such roles as Patricia Highsmith's Tom Ripley, in Wim Wenders's The American Friend (1977), and that photojournalist in Apocalypse Now (1979).

The Guardian - Film

Section 2 outlines the basic structure of the relational egalitarian argument for political equality, and highlights a significant ambiguity in it.

University of California, Berkeley

Spacecraft operations are affected by a variety of natural and manmade features that create significant ambiguity as to root cause determination for many anomalies and failures of satellites.

Acta Astronautica

All these factors add to the uncertainty involved in climate change assessments, in general, and in SLR impacts in particular, creating significant ambiguity during the policy-making process.

Environmental Science & Policy

There can be significant ambiguity in real-world advocacy situations, and that can lead to erroneous assumptions about someone's ethics and expectations, which in turn may lead to unethical behavior on their behalf.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

And while this specific situation was hardly a preliminary discussion, significant ambiguities remained.

The New York Times

However, this paradigm has led to significant ambiguities and errors in the literature.

Organic Electronics

However, they are subject to significant ambiguities due to high sidelobes in the array beampattern, which give rise to large estimation errors.

Signal Processing

The decision will create significant ambiguities as to who will be allowed to enter the country.

HuffPost

However, as indicated by the reviewers there are some major concerns and significant ambiguities that need to be addressed before the paper can be considered for resubmission.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "significant ambiguity", ensure the context clearly identifies the source and nature of the ambiguity to avoid further confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "significant ambiguity" when the uncertainty is minor or easily resolved. Choose a more precise term like "slight uncertainty" or "minor vagueness" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant ambiguity" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies the noun "ambiguity". This phrase typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, as seen in the Ludwig examples, indicating a state or quality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant ambiguity" is a commonly used term to describe situations characterized by a notable lack of clarity or precision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and academic domains. When employing this phrase, ensure that the source and nature of the ambiguity are clearly defined to avoid further confusion. Alternatives such as "considerable uncertainty" or "substantial vagueness" may be suitable depending on the context. Be mindful not to overstate the level of ambiguity when a more precise term would be more appropriate. By understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively communicate the presence of ambiguity and its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable uncertainty

Emphasizes the extent of the uncertainty.

substantial vagueness

Highlights the lack of specific detail or precision.

marked imprecision

Focuses on the lack of exactness or accuracy.

notable indistinctness

Stresses the blurred or undefined nature of something.

pronounced obscurity

Indicates a lack of clarity, making something difficult to understand.

major equivocation

Points to the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid commitment.

real lack of clarity

Highlights the absence of clear understanding or definition.

serious doubt

Indicates a significant level of skepticism or uncertainty about something.

apparent ambiguity

Highlights how something that appears straightforward may be interpreted in multiple ways.

evident uncertainty

Emphasizes that the uncertainty is easily noticeable or recognizable.

FAQs

How can I use "significant ambiguity" in a sentence?

Use "significant ambiguity" to describe situations or information where the lack of clarity is substantial. For example: "There is "considerable uncertainty" surrounding the interpretation of the data."

What are some alternatives to "significant ambiguity"?

Alternatives include "substantial vagueness", "considerable uncertainty", or "marked imprecision" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "significant ambiguity" or "high ambiguity"?

"Significant ambiguity" and "high ambiguity" are similar, but "significant" often implies that the ambiguity has important consequences or is particularly noticeable. "High ambiguity" simply refers to the degree of ambiguity.

What causes "significant ambiguity" in communication?

In communication, "significant ambiguity" can arise from poorly defined terms, conflicting information, or a lack of context. Addressing these issues can lead to greater clarity.