uncertain significance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncertain significance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where the importance or relevance of something is ambiguous or not clearly defined. Example: "The results of the study showed an uncertain significance, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All clinically reported variants, both clinically significant findings and variants of uncertain significance (VUS), were selected for confirmation.

Genetics in Medicine

Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are in italics.

Nature

Notable are the various dragons of east and west – creatures of enormous power but uncertain significance.

The Guardian - Books

Millot, G. A. et al. A guide for functional analysis of BRCA1 variants of uncertain significance.

Nature

Screening with gene panels does not, however, eliminate the problem of variants of uncertain significance.

Stanford University

Other peoples, especially the Bari, also made figures; these are of uncertain significance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUS) are genetic variants whose association with a disease phenotype has not been established.

Nature

Thereby, a number of newly identified nucleotide variants are falsely classified as VUS (a variant of uncertain significance).

Nature

Papadakis, M. et al. Sudden cardiac death with autopsy findings of uncertain significance: potential for erroneous interpretation.

Nature

Each of the 141 women in the study had about two variants of uncertain significance in the 42 genes studied.

Stanford University

Indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPN) are of uncertain significance in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

European Urology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncertain significance", clearly articulate the specific factors contributing to the uncertainty. Provide context to help the reader understand why the significance is not yet fully determined.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions or making strong claims when the significance is explicitly stated as "uncertain". Premature interpretations can mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncertain significance" functions as a noun phrase that describes a state of ambiguity or lack of definitive understanding regarding the importance or relevance of something. It often appears in contexts where further investigation or clarification is needed, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uncertain significance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term across various fields, particularly in science, academia, and medicine. As Ludwig highlights, it's used to describe situations where the importance or impact of something is not yet fully understood or defined. While it's generally suitable for formal and scientific contexts, it's essential to avoid overstating conclusions when using this phrase. Alternatives like "ambiguous significance" or "doubtful significance" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. A key takeaway is to clearly articulate the reasons behind the uncertainty to provide context for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambiguous significance

Emphasizes the possibility of multiple interpretations or a lack of clear meaning.

doubtful significance

Suggests skepticism about the importance or relevance of something.

unknown significance

Highlights the absence of information regarding the importance or impact.

indeterminate significance

Implies that the significance is not fixed or cannot be precisely determined.

unclear importance

Focuses directly on the lack of clarity regarding how important something is.

questionable relevance

Raises doubts about whether something is pertinent or applicable.

tenuous connection

Suggests a weak or insubstantial link, implying uncertain importance.

debatable value

Indicates that the worth or merit is subject to disagreement.

unestablished importance

Highlights that the relevance or value hasn't been proven or widely recognized.

speculative meaning

Emphasizes that the meaning is based on conjecture rather than established fact.

FAQs

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

You can use "uncertain significance" to describe situations where the importance or relevance of something is not yet clear. For example, "The study's findings had an "uncertain significance", requiring further investigation".

What's a good alternative to "uncertain significance"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ambiguous significance", "doubtful significance", or "unknown significance".

Is it appropriate to use "uncertain significance" in formal writing?

Yes, "uncertain significance" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and scientific contexts where acknowledging uncertainty is crucial for transparency and accuracy.

What does it mean when a genetic variant is described as having "uncertain significance"?

In genetics, a "variant of "uncertain significance"" (VUS) indicates that the association between the genetic change and a particular disease or phenotype has not yet been established.