unclear with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unclear with" is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion.
It is typically used when expressing confusion or lack of clarity regarding a specific topic or situation, but it is better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "I am unclear with the instructions provided for the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The extent of this resistance remains unclear, with very little usable data on the subject.

The Guardian

In 2013, the economic outlook is unclear, with limited predictions of growth.

The Guardian

The eventual outcome may be unclear, with degrees of success measured in shades of grey.

The Guardian

The facts remain unclear, with the Wanning police and the girls' parents offering different accounts.

The New York Times

The circumstances surrounding Barati's death are still unclear with conflicting reports about the details of the unrest.

The Guardian

The death toll is unclear, with different groups issuing different estimates, but most put the figure in the hundreds.

The Guardian

What effect the allegations will have on the campaign is unclear, with the actor running well ahead in the polls.

The Guardian

What is still unclear, with just three full negotiating days to go, is whether any of these can be resolved.

The Guardian

The circumstances of Seuren's accident are unclear, with Steck writing on Facebook that he did not plan to comment further.

The Guardian

Motives for both murders remain unclear, with the teenager not regarded by police as a known gang member.

The Guardian

The reasons for Chiles' exit remain unclear with neither the 47-year-old nor the channel confirming the news.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "unclear with" is sometimes used, especially in news and scientific contexts, prefer the more grammatically standard and widely accepted alternatives such as "unclear about" or "uncertain with regard to" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "with" after "unclear". Although somewhat common, it is often perceived as grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for "about", "regarding", or "on" to maintain grammatical accuracy and avoid potential confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unclear with" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a lack of clarity or understanding regarding something. However, as Ludwig indicates, this construction is grammatically questionable and might be better replaced with more standard options.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unclear with" is used to express a lack of clarity or understanding, particularly in the contexts of news, media and science. Although fairly common, it is generally considered grammatically questionable. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is more appropriate to use alternatives such as "unclear about", "uncertain regarding", or other similar phrases to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. While "unclear with" appears across varied sources, opting for established alternatives ensures precision and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear about

Replaces "with" with "about", resulting in a grammatically standard and more common expression.

confused about

Substitutes "unclear" with "confused", indicating a lack of understanding. Changes the emphasis from clarity to comprehension.

uncertain regarding

Replaces "unclear" with "uncertain" and "with" with "regarding", creating a more formal tone.

in doubt about

Uses the idiomatic expression "in doubt" instead of "unclear", implying a degree of skepticism.

ambiguous regarding

Substitutes "unclear" with "ambiguous", indicating that something is open to more than one interpretation.

not sure about

Employs a simpler, more informal phrasing to express a lack of certainty.

unsure of

Expresses a lack of confidence or certainty.

dubious about

Replaces "unclear" with "dubious", implying uncertainty coupled with a sense of skepticism or doubt.

hazy on

Replaces "unclear" with "hazy", suggesting a lack of clarity or distinctness regarding a topic.

vague on

Uses "vague" to express a lack of precision or detail.

FAQs

Is "unclear with" grammatically correct?

While "unclear with" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered less grammatically sound than alternatives like "unclear about" or "uncertain regarding". Opt for these standard alternatives for better clarity.

What prepositions can follow "unclear"?

The most common and grammatically accepted prepositions to use after "unclear" are "about", "on", and "regarding". For example, "unclear about the details", "unclear on the concept", or "unclear regarding the policy".

What can I say instead of "unclear with"?

You can use alternatives like "unclear about", "uncertain regarding", or "confused about depending on the context".

Which is correct, "unclear with" or "unclear about"?

"Unclear about" is generally considered more grammatically correct and widely accepted than "unclear with". While "unclear with" is sometimes used, it's not the preferred choice in formal writing.