uncertainty about what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncertainty about what" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or lack of clarity regarding a specific subject or issue. Example: "There is a growing uncertainty about what the future holds for the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, there is great uncertainty about what consumers will do.

The Economist

But there is much uncertainty about what it will involve.

The Economist

"There's an uncertainty about what will happen next".

The New York Times

But that only heightens the uncertainty about what they'll have down the line.

The New York Times

Uncertainty about what the music means convinces us that it really exists.

The New Yorker

But the woman insisted she had never expressed uncertainty about what had happened that night.

The New York Times

The government tightly controls access to the country, so there is some uncertainty about what happened.

The New York Times

There is abiding uncertainty about what film music is supposed to do.

The New Yorker

But nowadays there's an uncertainty about what libraries will be in the future.

The New Yorker

While there was uncertainty about what he was going to do, it made the story incomplete".

Independent

The uncertainty about what is causing the strange winters highlights a core difficulty of climate science.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncertainty about what", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific area or subject causing the uncertainty to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "There's uncertainty about what to do", specify "There's uncertainty about what the next steps should be".

Common error

A common mistake is using "uncertainty about what" with a pronoun that lacks a clear antecedent. To correct this, ensure the 'what' clearly refers to a previously mentioned noun or idea. Example: Instead of "There's uncertainty about what they said", specify "There's uncertainty about what the committee said regarding the budget" to eliminate ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncertainty about what" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a lack of definite knowledge or clarity concerning a specific issue. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "uncertainty about what" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of clear knowledge regarding a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its prevalence across news, scientific, and business contexts underscores its versatility. While synonyms like "ambiguity regarding what" exist, "uncertainty about what" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various communication scenarios. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'what' clearly references a specific noun or idea to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lack of clarity about what

Replaces "uncertainty" with a more explicit phrase indicating the absence of clear understanding.

Ambiguity regarding what

Replaces "uncertainty" with "ambiguity", focusing on the unclear nature of the subject.

Doubt concerning what

Substitutes "uncertainty" with "doubt", highlighting the questioning aspect of the situation.

Vagueness about what

Emphasizes the lack of precision or detail regarding the subject.

Confusion over what

Focuses on the state of being perplexed or unclear about the subject.

Unsureness regarding what

A more informal synonym for uncertainty.

Indecision as to what

Highlights the inability to decide or determine something specific.

Hesitation about what

Highlights a pause or reluctance due to uncertainty.

Question marks over what

Uses a metaphor to express uncertainty.

Speculation regarding what

Focuses on the act of conjecturing due to uncertainty.

FAQs

How do I use "uncertainty about what" in a sentence?

You can use "uncertainty about what" to express doubt or lack of clarity regarding a specific topic. For example: "There is considerable "uncertainty about what" the new policy will entail."

What are some alternatives to "uncertainty about what"?

Alternatives include "ambiguity regarding what", "doubt concerning what", or "lack of clarity about what", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "uncertainty about what" or "uncertainty of what"?

"Uncertainty about what" is generally preferred and more common. "Uncertainty of what" can sound awkward in many contexts. It's best to stick with ""uncertainty about what"" for clarity.

What's the difference between "uncertainty about what" and "uncertainty regarding what"?

The terms "uncertainty about what" and "uncertainty regarding what" are largely interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations, as they convey the same basic meaning.