totally unclear

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally unclear" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that lacks clarity or is difficult to understand. Example: "The instructions were totally unclear, leaving everyone confused." Alternative expressions include "completely ambiguous" and "entirely vague."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was totally unclear what we should do next.

The Guardian

It's totally unclear, and there is no consensus," said Contreras.

The Guardian

And it's totally unclear why he even went there.

The Washington Post

However, it is totally unclear how they could be successfully attacked when used in practice.

Theoretical Computer Science

"If it's a terrorist attack it's totally unclear who the targets are.

The Guardian

So the second term limits and qualifies the first in some important way, but how is totally unclear.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Instead, when asked about the killing, he replied evasively, saying that the situation in Daraa is still unclear — which is totally false.

The New York Times

In a recent survey on audiovisual quality assessment [3], the authors concluded that 'when measuring individual audio or video quality in audio-visual stimuli, the influence of the other modality might be small, but cannot be neglected totally.' It is yet unclear if this mutual influence also has an impact on the audiovisual integration.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

One of her aides described the 2008 campaign to me as "totally dysfunctional", adding "it was often unclear who was actually in charge".

The Guardian

But it's a little unclear whether the alarm is totally warranted, and--more importantly--what we should be doing about it.

Huffington Post

"I'm totally disgusted with what she did". It's unclear when Borders-Piatti will pay back the program.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally unclear", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what exactly is unclear. This helps to avoid vagueness and maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "totally unclear" when there's at least some degree of understanding or partial information available. Using weaker terms like "partially unclear" or "somewhat uncertain" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally unclear" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its state of lacking clarity or understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

39%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "totally unclear" effectively conveys a complete lack of understanding or clarity. It's deemed grammatically correct and highly frequent across various domains, especially news and media, and science. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While versatile, it’s essential to ensure its use aligns with the context; opting for synonyms such as "completely ambiguous" or "entirely vague" may be more appropriate in formal settings. Remember to support the statement by providing further context on what is "totally unclear".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely ambiguous

Emphasizes the presence of multiple interpretations or meanings.

entirely vague

Highlights the lack of detail or precision.

utterly incomprehensible

Stresses the extreme difficulty in understanding.

perfectly obscure

Implies that the information is hidden or not easily accessible.

absolutely baffling

Focuses on the confusing and perplexing nature.

patently uncertain

Highlights the lack of certainty or definiteness.

decidedly hazy

Conveys a sense of ambiguity or lack of clarity.

thoroughly unintelligible

Emphasizes the inability to be understood.

not at all obvious

Indicates that something is not easily perceived or understood.

wholly unresolved

Focuses on the lack of a solution or answer.

FAQs

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

You can use "totally unclear" to describe situations, instructions, or concepts that are not understandable or lack clarity. For example, "The instructions were "totally unclear", making it difficult to assemble the product."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "totally unclear"?

You can use alternatives such as "completely ambiguous", "entirely vague", or "utterly incomprehensible" to express a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "totally unclear" in formal writing?

While "totally unclear" is widely understood, in formal writing, you might consider using a more formal alternative like "completely ambiguous" or "entirely vague" to maintain a professional tone.

What does "totally unclear" mean?

"Totally unclear" means that something is completely lacking in clarity or is impossible to understand. It suggests that there is no ambiguity or room for interpretation; the matter is simply not clear at all.