unclear answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"unclear answer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone does not provide a clear, definitive answer to a question. For example, "When asked if he wanted to participate in the meeting, he gave an unclear answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

On the way to Hangzhou, May gave an unclear answer about whether she trusted the Chinese.

The Guardian

It was a characteristically unclear answer, and Rupert Murdoch did not look like he was acting ignorant.

The Guardian

So it's a lot of things that add up to an unclear answer on purpose it seems.

Vice

Therefore, we analyzed a total of 1,204 agencies, excluding those with an unclear answer or no answer regarding profitability.

BMC Health Services Research

They can also be used to extract out more information from your prospect should he replied a brief and unclear answer.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The difficulty with using Gini for that is that you'll get unclear answers," Cobham says.

The Washington Post

People like to have tidy explanations and are suspicious of doubt, or unclear answers.

Independent

But he later said that he flatly opposed any increase in the tax and that the article was based on unclear answers he had given to ambiguous questions.

The New York Times

Since some immigrants provided unclear answers, 42 questionnaires out of the administered 50 were considered valid.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

It's a messy subject and a new terrain, one filled with lots of clear questions and unclear answers.

Huffington Post

He wonders about Quinn's possible involvement with patronage hirings at the Illinois Department of Transportation and subsequent firings and unclear answers about who knew what when.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unclear answer" to describe responses that are not only difficult to understand but also lack definiteness or commitment.

Common error

Do not mistake an "unclear answer" for a simply incorrect one. An "unclear answer" is vague or ambiguous, while an incorrect answer is definitively wrong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unclear answer" functions as a noun phrase, where 'unclear' modifies the noun 'answer'. It describes the quality of the answer being provided. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unclear answer" is a grammatically sound and readily understood expression used to depict responses lacking in clarity or precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correctly used across diverse contexts, although it appears more frequently in news, scientific, and wiki-based content. Related phrases include "vague response" and "ambiguous reply", each carrying subtle nuances. Effective usage involves ensuring contextual clarity and distinguishing it from a simply incorrect answer. When encountering an "unclear answer", it's advisable to seek further clarification to ensure a comprehensive understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague response

Focuses on the lack of detail or precision in the answer.

ambiguous reply

Highlights that the response can be interpreted in multiple ways.

evasive statement

Suggests the response is deliberately avoiding the question.

equivocal response

Emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of commitment in the answer.

indefinite answer

Highlights that the answer is not specific or clearly defined.

noncommittal reply

Indicates the answer does not express a definite opinion or commitment.

murky explanation

Suggests the answer is confusing and difficult to understand.

clouded response

Implies the answer is obscured and lacks transparency.

opaque reply

Highlights the difficulty in understanding the meaning of the answer.

imprecise statement

Focuses on the lack of exactness and accuracy in the answer.

FAQs

What does "unclear answer" mean?

An "unclear answer" is a response that lacks clarity, precision, or definiteness, making it difficult to understand the speaker's true meaning or position.

How can I recognize an "unclear answer"?

You can recognize an "unclear answer" by its use of vague language, avoidance of specific details, or the presence of conflicting interpretations. It often leaves you with more questions than answers.

What are some alternatives to giving an "unclear answer"?

Alternatives to giving an "unclear answer" include providing a "direct response", offering a "detailed explanation", or stating your position clearly, even if it's tentative.

Is it ever acceptable to give an "unclear answer"?

While transparency is generally preferred, there may be situations where an "unclear answer" is necessary, such as protecting sensitive information or avoiding commitment before having all the facts. However, honesty and clarity should be prioritized whenever possible.