some ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

"some ambiguity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that there is some ambiguity or uncertainty about a particular situation or idea. For example, "There was still some ambiguity about the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here some ambiguity arises.

The New Yorker

"You have to accept some ambiguity".

The New Yorker

There was once some ambiguity about what these were.

The Economist

"There is some ambiguity about what philanthropy means.

Independent

Some ambiguity derives from our basic relationship to nature.

The New York Times

Even within this group, however, there exists some ambiguity.

The New York Times

Shouldn't there be some ambiguity, even profundity, in art?

The Guardian - Arts

There is even some ambiguity about his name.

The New York Times - Books

We may have to live with some ambiguity.

The New York Times

There remains some ambiguity about which candidate will win more delegates in Michigan.

The New York Times

There's some ambiguity about where he got his burns — was it in South America or not?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some ambiguity" to acknowledge uncertainty or a lack of clarity in a situation, encouraging further investigation or clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "some ambiguity" when the situation is clearly defined or completely uncertain; instead, use more definitive language to accurately reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some ambiguity" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It denotes a state of uncertainty or lack of clarity, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some ambiguity" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to indicate a degree of uncertainty or lack of clarity in a particular situation or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile enough for use across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While alternatives like "a lack of clarity" or "a degree of uncertainty" exist, "some ambiguity" provides a concise and effective way to acknowledge and introduce the idea of uncertainty. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its reliability and acceptance in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gray area

Describes a situation that is not clearly defined or easily categorized.

a lack of clarity

Directly points out the absence of clear understanding or definition.

a certain vagueness

Highlights the lack of precision or clarity in a statement or situation.

room for interpretation

Indicates that different understandings or explanations are possible.

a degree of uncertainty

Emphasizes the level of uncertainty present, focusing on the lack of definiteness.

potential for confusion

Emphasizes the possibility that misunderstanding could arise.

a level of obscurity

Indicates that something is hidden or not easily understood.

a touch of imprecision

Suggests a slight deviation from exactness or accuracy.

an element of doubt

Focuses on the presence of uncertainty or skepticism.

a few loose ends

Implies unresolved or incomplete aspects of a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "some ambiguity" to acknowledge a lack of clarity or certainty in a situation. For example, "There is "some ambiguity" regarding the new policy changes."

What are some alternatives to saying "some ambiguity"?

Alternatives to "some ambiguity" include phrases like "a lack of clarity", "a degree of uncertainty", or "a certain vagueness", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "there is ambiguity" or "there is some ambiguity"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""some ambiguity"" suggests a limited amount of uncertainty, whereas "there is ambiguity" implies a more general or pervasive lack of clarity.

What's the difference between "some ambiguity" and "some confusion"?

"Some confusion" implies that people are misunderstanding something, while ""some ambiguity"" indicates that the information itself is unclear or open to interpretation.