situations of uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "situations of uncertainty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing contexts or scenarios where outcomes are unpredictable or unclear. Example: "In situations of uncertainty, it is crucial to remain calm and assess the available information before making a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

And yet it is also true that governments, companies and individuals regularly have no choice but to plan in situations of uncertainty.

The Economist

As Kahneman and Tversky noted in the final sentence of their classic 1974 paper, "A better understanding of these heuristics and of the biases to which they lead could improve judgments and decisions in situations of uncertainty".

The New Yorker

Because CRED's primary goal is to understand decision-making in situations of uncertainty, the wind-turbine question — should we spend money on building turbines now with a proven technology or should we finance technologies that might be more efficient someday?

The New York Times - Magazine

As Kahneman and Tversky noted in the final sentence of their classic 1974 paper, "A better understanding of these heuristics and of the biases to which they lead could improve judgments and decisions in situations of uncertainty". Unfortunately, such hopes appear to be unfounded.

The New Yorker

Listen carefully for behaviors related to these skills, such as the ability to make decisions in situations of uncertainty or the courage to go against the organizational grain and push the organization out of its comfort zone in the interest of innovation.

Harvard Business Review

Delphi is a method that has largely been designed to reach consensus in situations of uncertainty.

European Journal of Futures Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

So we are back to a situation of uncertainty over what will happen.

Stanford University

"This case has created a situation of uncertainty in the country," Mr. Ashraf said.

The New York Times

"I will always speak to Boris Johnson with the greatest sincerity and frankness," he said, adding that France had one goal: "to avoid Europe moving into a situation of uncertainty as regards the future of relations between Britain and Europe".

The Guardian

Mass repressions had a negative influence on the moral-political condition of the party, created a situation of uncertainty, contributed to the spreading of unhealthy suspicion, and sowed distrust among communists.

The Guardian

The French finance minister, Michel Sapin, told Agence France-Presse that terrorism had become an economic risk: "Today the frequency of attacks creates a new situation of uncertainty, which is at least as damaging as regional destabilisations or a regional conflict".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex challenges, use "situations of uncertainty" to acknowledge unpredictability, but always follow with specific details about the nature of the uncertainty, potential impacts, and planned responses.

Common error

Avoid using "situations of uncertainty" as a vague catch-all. Always provide context: specify what is uncertain, why it matters, and what actions can be taken despite the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "situations of uncertainty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It describes contexts characterized by a lack of predictability or clear knowledge about future outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "situations of uncertainty" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe scenarios where outcomes are unpredictable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's common in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. For more specific descriptions, consider using alternatives like "times of unpredictability" or "periods of ambiguity". When using the phrase, always provide context to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity. The sources analyzed here show that the phrase is used across a broad spectrum of domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

times of unpredictability

Emphasizes the element of not being able to predict outcomes.

periods of ambiguity

Highlights the lack of clarity and precision.

circumstances of risk

Focuses on the potential for negative consequences.

contexts of unpredictability

Similar to "times of unpredictability" but with a slightly broader application.

scenarios of doubt

Suggests a prevailing sense of skepticism and lack of confidence.

realms of the unknown

Emphasizes the mysterious and unexplored nature of the situation.

environments of instability

Focuses on the lack of a stable or consistent foundation.

states of flux

Implies a condition of constant change and uncertainty.

landscapes of unpredictability

Highlights the vast and complex nature of the unpredictable situation.

arenas of speculation

Emphasizes the reliance on guesswork and conjecture.

FAQs

How can I use "situations of uncertainty" in a sentence?

Use "situations of uncertainty" to describe scenarios where the outcome is unknown or unpredictable. For example, "In "times of unpredictability", adaptability is key."

What are some alternatives to "situations of uncertainty"?

Consider using alternatives such as "periods of ambiguity", "circumstances of risk", or "contexts of unpredictability" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "situations of uncertainty" formal or informal language?

"Situations of uncertainty" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might choose a more precise term depending on the specific type of uncertainty involved.

What makes "situations of uncertainty" different from "situations of risk"?

"Situations of uncertainty" implies a lack of knowledge about potential outcomes, while "situations of risk" suggests awareness of potential negative outcomes and their probabilities. Risk involves quantifiable uncertainty.