to avoid ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

'to avoid ambiguity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the importance of clearly defining something in order to prevent any confusion or miscommunication. For example: "In order to prevent any misunderstandings, the instructions should be written as clearly as possible to avoid ambiguity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To avoid ambiguity, we follow this terminology.

Stanford University

Word "employee" was inserted to avoid ambiguity as to scope of section.

Cornell University

In our sample input, the journal name has been spelled out in full to avoid ambiguity.

Cornell University

For English names we follow prevailing usage, but sometimes adopt novel names to avoid ambiguity.

Cornell University

The analysis shows that the array has to be carefully designed to avoid ambiguity directions.

Signal Processing

To avoid ambiguity in distinguishing maximum correlation coefficients, an adaptive algorithm is adopted.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

We term the improved algorithm as Global-best guided PBO (GPBO) to avoid ambiguity.

Journal of Computational Science

A strict clinic-radiological criteria was used to avoid ambiguity in the study.

The Indian Journal of Neurotrauma

Yale policy is always to indicate gaps, so to avoid ambiguity, never use first indicator 3 in 866.

Yale University

In the BitCurator implementation, events are often recorded as having completed, rather than as having succeeded, to avoid ambiguity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In contemporary usage, "coelenterate" generally refers only to cnidarians, but the latter term is used in order to avoid ambiguity.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to avoid ambiguity", ensure that the subsequent explanation or clarification directly addresses potential sources of confusion. Be specific rather than general.

Common error

Avoid using "to avoid ambiguity" without providing concrete clarification. The phrase sets an expectation for increased clarity, so ensure the following text fulfills that expectation. For example, don't say "We clarified the process to avoid ambiguity" without specifying how the process was clarified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid ambiguity" functions as an introductory phrase indicating the purpose of the subsequent statement. It sets the stage for providing a clearer, more precise definition or explanation. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is common and correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

Academia

27%

News & Media

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to avoid ambiguity" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that serves as a purpose connector. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and suitable for various contexts. Its primary function is to introduce a clarification or a more precise definition, aiming to prevent potential misunderstandings. The phrase is commonly found in scientific, academic, and news media sources, reflecting its importance in contexts requiring clarity and precision. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent explanation directly addresses potential sources of confusion to fulfill the expectation of increased clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent confusion

Focuses on preventing a state of confusion rather than just avoiding ambiguity.

for clarity's sake

Emphasizes clarity as the primary goal, often used in more formal contexts.

for the sake of clarity

Similar to "for clarity's sake", but might be perceived as slightly more common.

to ensure precision

Highlights the need for accuracy and exactness, suitable when specific details matter.

to clarify matters

Suggests a more active role in making something clear.

to remove uncertainty

Addresses the removal of doubt or vagueness.

to preclude misunderstanding

More formal and emphasizes preventing any possible misinterpretation.

to be unambiguous

Shifts the focus to the quality of being clear and unequivocal.

to make explicit

Highlights the act of making something outwardly clear and obvious.

for definitional accuracy

Emphasizes the importance of precise definitions to avoid confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "to avoid ambiguity" in a sentence?

Use "to avoid ambiguity" to introduce a clarification or a more precise definition. For example, "The term 'cloud computing' is defined broadly; /s/to+avoid+ambiguity/ we use it to refer specifically to off-site data storage".

What are some alternatives to "to avoid ambiguity"?

You can use alternatives like "to prevent confusion", "for clarity's sake", or "to ensure precision" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "to avoid ambiguity"?

No, it is not always necessary. If the context is already clear and the clarification is self-evident, explicitly stating "to avoid ambiguity" might be redundant. However, in technical or legal writing, it's often preferred for thoroughness.

What's the difference between "to avoid ambiguity" and "to avoid confusion"?

While similar, "to avoid ambiguity" focuses on preventing uncertainty in meaning, whereas "to avoid confusion" is broader and aims to prevent general misunderstanding or bewilderment. Ambiguity relates specifically to unclear language, while confusion can arise from various sources.