this is unclear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is unclear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is not easily understood or lacks clarity. Example: "The instructions provided were confusing, and I must say, this is unclear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Again, this is unclear.

Independent

This is unclear.

The Guardian - Money

This is unclear at present.

The Guardian - Money

"The purpose of this is unclear".

The New York Times

What exactly is driving this is unclear.

The New York Times

However, this is unclear and controversial.

Harvard University

The reason for this is unclear.

The Guardian

Even this is unclear right now.

The Washington Post

Why we do this is unclear.

The Guardian

How New Yorkers feel about all this is unclear.

The New York Times

David's role in all of this is unclear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is unclear", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what specifically lacks clarity. Offer potential reasons or areas for further investigation to add value.

Common error

Don't use "this is unclear" without specifying what "this" refers to. Ambiguous references can confuse readers. Always clarify the subject to which the lack of clarity applies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is unclear" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of clarity or understanding regarding a specific subject or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is unclear" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of clarity or understanding. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and formal communication. While interchangeable with phrases like "this is not clear", choosing appropriate synonyms such as "this is ambiguous" or "this is vague" can provide more nuance. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what "this" refers to, and consider providing suggestions for clarification to enhance the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this lacks clarity

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the absence of clarity directly.

this is ambiguous

Replaces "unclear" with "ambiguous", indicating the statement has multiple possible interpretations.

this is vague

Substitutes "unclear" with "vague", suggesting the statement lacks precision or detail.

this is not well-defined

Replaces "unclear" with "not well-defined", suggesting that the statement is imprecise and lacks specific parameters.

this is obscure

Replaces "unclear" with "obscure", implying the statement is hidden or not easily discovered.

this is doubtful

Replaces "unclear" with "doubtful", indicating uncertainty about the truth or validity of the statement.

this is uncertain

Substitutes "unclear" with "uncertain", highlighting a lack of sureness or predictability.

this is undefined

Replaces "unclear" with "undefined", suggesting the statement lacks a clear meaning or scope.

this is mysterious

Substitutes "unclear" with "mysterious", implying the statement is puzzling or difficult to explain.

this is equivocal

Replaces "unclear" with "equivocal", suggesting the statement is open to different interpretations or meanings.

FAQs

What does "this is unclear" mean?

The phrase "this is unclear" means that something is not easily understood, lacks clarity, or is ambiguous. It suggests a lack of precision or certainty about a particular subject or statement.

How can I use "this is unclear" in a sentence?

You can use "this is unclear" to express uncertainty or lack of understanding. For example, "The instructions were poorly written, and as a result, "this is unclear"."

What are some alternatives to "this is unclear"?

Alternatives to "this is unclear" include "this is ambiguous", "this is vague", or "this lacks clarity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "this is unclear" or "this is not clear"?

"This is unclear" and "this is not clear" are largely interchangeable. Both convey a lack of clarity, but "this is unclear" may sound slightly more formal or understated. The choice depends on personal preference and the context.