unclear wording

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unclear wording" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe language that is ambiguous or difficult to understand. Example: "The instructions were filled with unclear wording, making it hard for the team to follow them accurately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He said the existing law had unclear wording.

The New York Times

For Turkey, the very fact that the G-word is there at all will be cause enough for outrage - whether plural or singular, or prefaced by the verb "is" or not; while for many Armenians the unclear wording will come across as cowardly and unsupportive.

BBC

Luckily the powers that be reconsidered their contest guidelines in February, and blamed it on unclear wording.

Vice

We apologize for unclear wording in the figure legends.

eLife

Unclear wording was amended accordingly and integrated in the final form of the questionnaire.

BMC Family Practice

Questions were rephrased and/or removed in cases of unclear wording or nonexclusive response categories.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

An unclear word can be disambiguated by the words around it, as the software tries to match a string of words to a string in its database.

The Economist

The board also released the transcript of the cockpit voice recorder, in which the pilot at the controls is heard to say, "What the hell are we into?" Then there is an unclear word, and he adds, "We're stuck in it".

The New York Times

Some of unclear words were omitted in the screening step.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Unclear words and items identified in the pretest were discussed with members of the expert committee and target population.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

(Interview 3 [non-italicized text in brackets indicates unclear word(s)]) I saw the baby sucking its thumb and saw it move.

Gender and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When revising documents, specifically look for instances of "unclear wording" and rewrite them to be more direct and easily understood by your intended audience.

Common error

Avoid using jargon or overly technical terms when trying to clarify "unclear wording". Aim for simple, straightforward language that is accessible to a broad audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unclear wording" functions as a noun phrase, where 'unclear' modifies the noun 'wording'. It describes the quality or state of language being difficult to understand. Ludwig examples show it frequently refers to issues in questionnaires, legal documents, or general communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unclear wording" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe language that is difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI explains, its primary function is to identify a problem in communication, and it appears frequently in Science, News & Media, and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by revising any identified instances of "unclear wording" to be more direct and accessible. Remember to avoid jargon and seek feedback from others to ensure your message is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambiguous phrasing

Focuses specifically on the way words are put together, implying potential for multiple interpretations.

vague language

Emphasizes the lack of precision and detail in the language used.

imprecise language

Highlights the lack of exactness in the language used.

confusing language

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding the message.

nebulous phrasing

Suggests the phrasing is hazy and ill-defined.

opaque wording

Implies the wording is difficult to see through or understand.

murky expression

Suggests the expression is obscure and difficult to comprehend.

equivocal expression

Indicates the expression is open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.

indistinct language

Focuses on the lack of clarity making it difficult to perceive or identify.

fuzzy language

Implies a lack of sharpness or definition in the language.

FAQs

How can I identify "unclear wording" in my writing?

Look for sentences that require multiple readings to understand or that could be interpreted in different ways. Asking someone else to read your work can also help identify areas of "unclear wording".

What are some alternatives to "unclear wording"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use phrases like "ambiguous phrasing", "vague language", or "imprecise language".

What makes wording "unclear"?

Wording can be "unclear" due to poor sentence structure, use of jargon, ambiguous pronouns, or a lack of specific details.

How can I fix "unclear wording" in a document?

Break down long sentences, define any technical terms, replace ambiguous pronouns with specific nouns, and provide concrete details to clarify your meaning. Seeking feedback from others can also help identify and resolve instances of "unclear wording".