uncertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncertain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a lack of certainty or confidence about something. Example: "I am uncertain about the outcome of the project and would like to discuss it further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Boom and dust: uncertain future for the mining town run by Rio Tinto "There were so many emotions and mostly it boiled down to feeling stressed, and the obvious place to come was the practice," Chalmers tells Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

I wanted Conservative party supporters, who at the start were a little uncertain about what they thought about AV, to be clear about what my view was.

The Guardian

But the ComRes study – of 1,000 people across the 40 seats currently held by Labour – shows that voters are evenly split on whether the SNP should strike a deal at Westminster, with SNP voters far more uncertain about the case for a deal than the party's leadership.

The Guardian

The latest Chilcot report concludes that while it is feasible to design a legally compliant regime, the use of intercept evidence would not be consistent with previous operational requirements and would incur significant costs and risks for uncertain benefits in terms of increased numbers of successful prosecutions.

The Guardian

6.04pm AEST09:04 Carbon tax, budget reforms uncertain: Parliament live Today's duelling agendas: carbon tax versus the budget.

The Guardian

But he warned that Europe would be entering "uncharted waters" that made the outcome of a default uncertain.

The Guardian

They have to realise that the IRA's armed struggle is over.' Several of Trimble's closest allies were nervous and deeply uncertain about the IRA plan to put arms beyond use and allow international observers to monitor arms dumps.

The Guardian

How many will eventually be built is uncertain but what is certain is that the Olympic village will provide 3,000 homes from 2013, half of them affordable.

The Guardian - Opinion

As soon as the butcher, who was not Jewish, found out why they wanted the weights, he told them, "in no uncertain terms, to fuck off".

The Guardian

Turnbull revealed he had quickly sent a message to Palmer that he should "man up and apologise" and also called him to deliver the same message "in no uncertain terms" and that when he had been asked to write an opinion piece for a newspaper on the subject, he had asked Credlin's view before declining, because his primary motivation had been to spare her any further pain.

The Guardian

The Times, and the Daily Mail via the Times, inform us in no uncertain terms that the Issue of the Week is the slight change that has been made to the new cover of Jilly Cooper's Riders.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncertain", clarify the specific aspect that lacks certainty. For instance, instead of saying "The future is uncertain", specify "The economic impact of the new policy is uncertain."

Common error

Avoid using "uncertain" as a generic filler word. Ensure it genuinely reflects a lack of clarity or predictability about something specific. Otherwise, consider more descriptive alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The word "uncertain" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of doubt, unpredictability, or lack of clarity. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it modifies nouns like "future", "outcome", and "value".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "uncertain" is a versatile term used to express doubt or lack of predictability across various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and widespread, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discussions. While alternatives like "unsure" and "doubtful" exist, "uncertain" provides a neutral tone suitable for diverse situations. To enhance clarity, specify the aspect of uncertainty. Avoid overuse in vague contexts to maintain precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsure

Indicates a lack of confidence or certainty about something.

doubtful

Expresses skepticism or disbelief about a particular outcome or situation.

unpredictable

Suggests that something is impossible to foresee or determine in advance.

questionable

Implies that something is open to doubt or debate.

dubious

Similar to questionable, but often carries a stronger connotation of suspicion.

tenuous

Describes something that is weak, fragile, or likely to change.

ambiguous

Indicates that something is open to multiple interpretations or lacks clear meaning.

equivocal

Expresses a lack of decisiveness or clarity, often intentionally.

inconclusive

Indicates that something has not reached a definitive conclusion or result.

speculative

Based on conjecture rather than firm knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "uncertain" in a sentence?

You can use "uncertain" to describe situations or outcomes that are not known or definite. For instance, "The company's future remains "uncertain" due to the current economic climate."

What are some alternatives to "uncertain"?

Alternatives include "unsure", "doubtful", "unpredictable", and "questionable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am uncertain"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. "I am "uncertain"" indicates that you lack confidence or clarity about something.

What is the difference between "uncertain" and "unsure"?

"Uncertain" generally refers to a situation or outcome that is not known or definite, while "unsure" typically describes a person's feelings of doubt or lack of confidence. For example, "The project's success is "uncertain"," versus "I am "unsure" about the best approach."