unclear sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unclear sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sentence that lacks clarity or is difficult to understand. Example: "The instructions were poorly written, resulting in an unclear sentence that confused the readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The following correction was printed in the Guardian's Corrections and clarifications column, Wednesday 16 September 2009 Editing changes aimed at improving an unclear sentence resulted in our saying that Vera Lynn's recent No 1 made her the only artist to feature in the UK charts in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Guardian - Music

Abstract (line 2)- An unclear sentence.

F1000Research

Author's response: The unclear sentence has been clarified.

Biology Direct

I recommend indexation pending responding on the below minor editorial/clarification points: Abstract (line 2)- An unclear sentence.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On yet another failing essay, the instructor wrote how surprised she was at his lack of progress, especially, she noted, given the hours they'd spent going over his "extremely long, awkward and unclear sentences".

Los Angeles Times

On yet another failing essay, the instructor wrote how surprised she was at his lack of progress, especially, she noted, given the hours they'd spent going over his "extremely long, awkward and unclear sentences". He told only Spencer and a few dorm mates how devastating this kind of failure felt, each poor grade another stinging punch bringing him closer to flunking out.

Los Angeles Times

We removed the unclear sentences regarding cellular pattern separation.

eLife

Author's response: I have re-written the unclear sentences accordingly and cited the important book of E. Szathmary and I. Maynard Smith (1998).

Biology Direct

Author's response: These unclear sentences were re-written and... "branches with twigs" added so that this misunderstanding is now corrected.

Biology Direct

It was unclear what sentence he might face.

The New York Times

It is unclear what sentence he could receive under the new charges.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Whenever possible, rewrite an "unclear sentence" to make it more concise and direct. This clarifies the intended meaning and improves overall readability.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice excessively, as it can often lead to "unclear sentences". Opt for the active voice to make your writing more direct and easier to follow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unclear sentence" functions primarily as a descriptive term. It's used to identify and categorize a sentence that is difficult to understand. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this descriptor is frequently used in both academic and journalistic contexts to point out issues in writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unclear sentence" is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, employed to describe a sentence that lacks clarity. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is most commonly found in science and news media contexts. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, it signals a need for revision to enhance understanding. Alternatives include "ambiguous sentence" or "vague sentence". When using this phrase, remember to provide specific feedback and rewrite the sentence for improved readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambiguous sentence

Focuses on the ambiguity, where the sentence has multiple possible interpretations.

vague sentence

Emphasizes the lack of precision or detail in the sentence.

confusing sentence

Highlights the difficulty the reader has in understanding the sentence.

opaque sentence

Suggests the sentence is difficult to see through or understand.

incomprehensible sentence

Indicates the sentence is impossible to understand.

muddy sentence

Implies the sentence is unclear and poorly expressed.

unintelligible sentence

Similar to incomprehensible, meaning impossible to understand.

poorly worded sentence

Focuses on the quality of the writing in the sentence.

badly written sentence

Highlights the poor quality of the sentence's composition.

obfuscated sentence

Suggests the sentence is deliberately made unclear.

FAQs

How can I identify an "unclear sentence" in my writing?

Look for sentences that are convoluted, contain ambiguous pronouns, or use overly complex vocabulary. If you have to reread a sentence multiple times to understand it, it's likely an "unclear sentence".

What are some alternatives to saying "unclear sentence"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ambiguous sentence", "vague sentence", or "confusing sentence". These alternatives emphasize different aspects of the lack of clarity.

What makes a sentence unclear?

Several factors can contribute to an "unclear sentence", including poor word choice, complex sentence structure, ambiguous pronouns, and lack of context. Addressing these issues will improve clarity.

How can I fix an "unclear sentence"?

Try breaking down the sentence into smaller, more manageable parts. Use more direct language, clarify any ambiguous pronouns, and ensure that the sentence flows logically. Get feedback from others to see if they understand your intended meaning.