uncertain results

USAGE SUMMARY

"uncertain results" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to results that have not yet been determined or that have not been determined with a high degree of accuracy or certainty. For example, "The outcome of the experiment is still uncertain, so we will need to wait for the results before we can draw any conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Efforts to squelch free music have had uncertain results.

The New York Times

Yet those sanctions, first enacted in 2014, have yielded uncertain results.

The New Yorker

I decided against the nine-hour surgery, which would move bits of my back to my front with uncertain results.

The Guardian

It unfolded in Cambridge, a hotbed of liberal activism, but it still constitutes a difficult struggle with uncertain results.

The New Yorker

While it worked in other places in Afghanistan, that strategy appears to be having uncertain results here.

The New York Times

The DuPage mosque proposals can be seen as litmus tests — with uncertain results so far.

The New York Times

The story was the same at many stations: long waits, uncertain results.

The New York Times

He has done more than Mr Morales to try to diversify his country's economy, with so far uncertain results.

The Economist

• To the Editor: When I chose to become a lawyer, I knew long hours and hard work would yield uncertain results.

The New York Times

Despite those uncertain results, the Department of Commerce, in figures released last Friday, found that retail and food sales were up 7.7percentt from September 2003.

The New York Times

Several times, the administration reviewed military options and concluded that they would only further inflame a region already at war, and would have uncertain results.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research, clarify what specific aspects of the results are "uncertain" to provide more context for your readers. For instance, specify whether the uncertainty relates to the magnitude of an effect, the direction of a trend, or the reliability of measurements.

Common error

Avoid presenting "uncertain results" as definitive findings. Use qualifying language such as "suggests", "indicates", or "may imply" to accurately reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncertain results" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "uncertain" modifies the noun "results". This phrase typically serves to describe outcomes, findings, or data that lack clarity, precision, or definitive confirmation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncertain results" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adjective-noun combination to describe outcomes lacking definitive clarity, often appearing in science and news contexts. While the phrase is versatile, precise language specifying the nature of the uncertainty will enhance clarity and prevent overstating conclusions. Related phrases like "ambiguous findings" and "inconclusive outcomes" offer semantically similar alternatives. This phrase is a vital tool in communicating the nuances of research and analysis, particularly when definitive conclusions are not yet possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambiguous findings

Highlights the lack of clarity and multiple interpretations.

inconclusive outcomes

Focuses on the lack of a clear conclusion.

results in doubt

Expresses a lack of confidence in the accuracy of the results.

unsettled conclusions

Indicates that the results are not yet finalized or agreed upon.

questionable findings

Draws attention to the reliability of the findings.

unpredictable consequences

Emphasizes the inability to foresee the effects.

variable results

Highlights the inconsistency of the outcomes.

dubious outcomes

Suggests that the results are questionable or suspect.

tenuous results

Implies that the results are weak or fragile.

open to question

The outcome could be questioned.

FAQs

How can I use "uncertain results" in a sentence?

You can use "uncertain results" to describe situations where the outcome is not yet clear or the data is not conclusive. For example, "The experiment yielded "uncertain results", requiring further investigation."

What are some alternatives to "uncertain results"?

Some alternatives to "uncertain results" include "inconclusive outcomes", "ambiguous findings", or "questionable findings".

What does it mean when results are described as "uncertain"?

When results are described as "uncertain", it means that the data obtained is not sufficient to draw a firm conclusion, or that there is a significant possibility of error or variability in the measurements.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "uncertain results"?

The phrase "uncertain results" is suitable in academic research, scientific reports, and news articles when discussing outcomes that lack definitive clarity or are subject to interpretation. It's particularly useful when you need to convey caution and highlight the need for more investigation.