uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'uncertainty' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun, and can be used to refer to a lack of certainty or knowledge, such as when discussing an event that could potentially have an uncertain outcome. For example, "Uncertainty looms as the government prepares to make its decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The uncertainty that's keeping businesses from spending or hiring isn't uncertainty about what Barack Obama is doing or saying.

The Economist

But they don't know for sure and uncertainty nags.

The Guardian

Nick Clegg, who has been briefed by the prime minister on the speech, will reject Cameron's pledge to hold a referendum by 2017 on the grounds that it is wrong to commit Britain to such a specific timetable when there is uncertainty over whether negotiations will take place.

The Guardian

Amid all the uncertainty one decision could be made on Monday: victory for Rotherham, who play 17th-placed Brighton at home, would mean that by the time Blackpool play Reading on Tuesday the Tangerines would already be relegated.

The Guardian - Sport

Ofcom's decision, coming a day after the regulator admitted for the first time that it was "very unlikely" that all the local TV stations would succeed, casts further uncertainty over the future of loss-making London Live.

The Guardian

Now, that job is made all the harder if we have years of grinding uncertainty because of an ill-defined, protracted renegotiation of Britain's status within the European Union.

The Guardian

This uncertainty and the stress it causes affects our ability to offer quality care.

The Guardian

There was institutional uncertainty and the team who suited him so well was dismantled.

The Guardian - Sport

He also warned of the threat to Scotland's booming financial sector from the uncertainty that independence would bring.

The Guardian

There was an uncertainty about how these people would be different and whether we would have to modify our behaviour.

The Guardian - Film

Apart from opposition in Madrid, one of Mas's biggest difficulties is uncertainty over whether a newly independent Catalonia could remain within the European Union and the euro.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about future events, quantify the "uncertainty" by providing possible scenarios or ranges of outcomes to give your audience a clearer picture.

Common error

Avoid simply stating there is "uncertainty" without elaborating on what specifically is uncertain. Provide context and details to make your writing more informative.

Linguistic Context

The word "uncertainty" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a state of being uncertain or a lack of sureness about something. Ludwig AI confirms this by showcasing examples from various sources where "uncertainty" acts as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncertainty" is a common noun denoting a state of doubt or lack of predictability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. The word appears most frequently in The Guardian and The Economist. To enhance clarity in writing, avoid generic use of "uncertainty"; instead, specify the source and nature of the uncertainty. Alternatives like "lack of certainty" or "state of doubt" can add nuance. Ultimately, mastering the use of "uncertainty" involves understanding its grammatical function and communicative purpose while recognizing its prevalence in both formal and informal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of certainty

Emphasizes the absence of sureness regarding an outcome or fact.

state of doubt

Highlights the condition of being unsure or skeptical.

unpredictable nature

Focuses on the inability to foresee future events or outcomes.

absence of conviction

Stresses the lack of firm belief or assurance.

tenuousness

Highlights the fragile or shaky nature of a situation.

ambiguousness

Focuses on the quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

dubiousness

Highlights the quality of being suspicious or questionable.

instability

Emphasizes the lack of steadiness or reliability.

a degree of doubt

Highlights the presence of some level of incertitude or skepticism.

vagueness

Focuses on the lack of clarity or precision.

FAQs

How can I use "uncertainty" in a sentence?

"Uncertainty" functions as a noun. For example, "The company faces significant "uncertainty" regarding future regulations".

What's a more formal synonym for "uncertainty"?

A more formal synonym for "uncertainty" is "incertitude", which emphasizes a lack of assurance or predictability.

How does "uncertainty" differ from "risk"?

"Uncertainty" implies a lack of knowledge about potential outcomes, while "risk" involves known probabilities of different outcomes. You can use "risk" when probabilities can be assigned; otherwise, "uncertainty" is more appropriate.

What are some common phrases that include "uncertainty"?

Common phrases include "face "uncertainty"", "amid "uncertainty"", and "reduce "uncertainty"", often used in contexts related to economics, politics, and science.