slightly unclear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly unclear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not completely clear or is ambiguous to a small degree. Example: "The instructions were slightly unclear, leading to some confusion among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I'm afraid the answer to that question is slightly unclear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Windows 10 is actually the successor to Windows 8, for reasons that still remain slightly unclear.

Independent

I'm also slightly unclear on why you'd ask a bunch of ex-sports stars, comedians and reality show stars.

The Guardian

When Gingrich arrived, Romney stepped in front of him and said — in an extremely rapid and slightly unclear articulation — "Idiots say what".

The New Yorker

The cost implications remain slightly unclear, although at Zipline's Kigali launch on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Africa, Rwanda's health minister, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, insisted that they were comparable to current delivery methods.

The Guardian

The building enjoys a prime location opposite the Mediterranean, but thanks to the number of construction sites in the vicinity, it is slightly unclear quite how the area will take shape.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And the ending leaves the audience slightly suspended, unclear as to what will happen next: far more suited, says Jurowski, to our 21st-century tastes.

Independent

As they peer into the gloom, and creak slightly, it is unclear whether they are facing death or rebirth.

The New Yorker

The State Senate and the Assembly both passed bills today authorizing the New York City Council to suspend the city's 4percentt sales tax on heating oil and natural gas this winter, but the two measures differ slightly, leaving it unclear when consumers might see an actual tax reduction.

The New York Times

The Nanog GFP+/DsRed− colonies were morphologically indistinguishable from mouse ES cells (Figure 1C), but the GFP+/DsRed+ colonies showed slightly flat with unclear margins (Figure 1D).

Plosone

This amount of this fee is not binding, and can be jacked up on the day of the move for reasons that will be explained to you in a rushed, unclear, and slightly aggressive manner.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly unclear" to acknowledge a minor lack of clarity without implying complete confusion. For stronger ambiguity, consider "very unclear" or "completely ambiguous".

Common error

Avoid using "slightly unclear" when the situation is genuinely perplexing or confusing. In such cases, phrases like "highly ambiguous" or "entirely opaque" are more accurate.

How to use

Learn how to use "slightly unclear" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly unclear" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or situation to indicate a mild degree of ambiguity or lack of clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly unclear" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that has a mild degree of ambiguity or uncertainty. Ludwig AI affirms its usability across various contexts, primarily in news, media, and scientific writing. While not overly formal, it's suitable for professional settings. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of ambiguity; stronger terms like "very unclear" may be more appropriate for significant confusion. Alternatives include "somewhat vague" or "a bit ambiguous". By using "slightly unclear" judiciously, you can effectively convey a nuanced understanding of a topic without implying complete incomprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat vague

Indicates a lack of precision or detail, similar to something being not entirely clear.

a bit ambiguous

Suggests the presence of multiple possible interpretations, making the meaning uncertain.

not entirely obvious

Emphasizes that something requires some thought or investigation to understand fully.

partially obscure

Highlights that some aspects are hidden or not easily understood.

rather hazy

Conveys a sense of uncertainty and lack of sharpness in understanding.

a little uncertain

Indicates a mild degree of doubt or lack of confidence in understanding something.

not quite transparent

Suggests that something is not easily understood or straightforward.

somewhat indefinite

Emphasizes that the limits or boundaries are not clearly defined.

slightly undefined

Suggests a lack of precise meaning or specification.

relatively imprecise

Highlights a lack of exactness or accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly unclear" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly unclear" to describe something that isn't fully understood or has some ambiguity. For example: "The instructions were "slightly unclear", which caused some confusion."

What are some alternatives to saying "slightly unclear"?

Alternatives include "somewhat vague", "a bit ambiguous", or "not entirely obvious", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "slightly unclear" or "somewhat unclear"?

Both "slightly unclear" and "somewhat unclear" are acceptable. "Slightly" suggests a smaller degree of ambiguity compared to "somewhat", but they are often interchangeable.

What's the difference between "slightly unclear" and "completely unclear"?

"Slightly unclear" means there's some lack of clarity, but understanding is still possible. "Completely unclear" implies a total lack of understanding or ambiguity beyond interpretation.