very opaque

USAGE SUMMARY

"very opaque" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to understand or see through. For example: - The language used in the contract was very opaque, making it hard to understand the terms. - The politician's statements were very opaque, leaving the public unsure of their true intentions. - The paint on the window was very opaque, blocking out almost all of the light. - The reasoning behind the decision was very opaque, leaving the team confused and frustrated.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"The clear line of success has become very opaque".

The New York Times

"This is an ages-old industry that's very opaque that people just gave up understanding".

The New York Times - Tech

"These are very opaque products that should not be sold to individual investors," Mr. Zamansky said.

The New York Times

"Investors are just very uncertain; it's very opaque," said Kenichi Hirano, operating officer at Tachibana Securities.

The New York Times - Tech

"They will give transparency to a process that is at the moment very opaque".

The New York Times

"It's very opaque," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan group.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

You want to stay away from something like Daewoo-very opaque, anywhere from 400% to 500% debt- to-equity.

Forbes

So, in this not-very-opaque shell-game, the taxpayer will guarantee repayment of the money Northern Rock borrows to repay the taxpayer.

The Economist

Woods are thick, thin and very thin; opaque or transparent; solid or skeletal.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a daunting mission: Like Wall Street, the art world is a very clubby, opaque and cut-throat one and by no means a meritocracy.

Forbes

In this video, Julka and I discuss how Paddle8 was formed, how it transitioned from lead-gen to an auction format, lessons he's gleaned from trying to build an online marketplace in a very complex, opaque industry, and how art moves from the artist to gallery to collector, and the potential re-sale options collector's have.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or systems, use "very opaque" to highlight their lack of transparency. Provide specific examples to illustrate what makes them so difficult to understand.

Common error

While "very opaque" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in informal or casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "unclear" or "difficult to understand" may be more appropriate for everyday conversation or less formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very opaque" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to describe the quality of something, indicating that it lacks clarity and is difficult to understand or see through. Ludwig AI indicates this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very opaque" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something lacking clarity or transparency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It's commonly found in news media, science, and formal business contexts, signaling a neutral to professional register. While versatile, avoid overuse in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "highly nontransparent" or "extremely obscure" to vary your language. Always provide context to illustrate what makes something "very opaque" for better understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly nontransparent

Emphasizes the lack of transparency to a significant degree.

extremely obscure

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding due to a lack of clarity.

utterly incomprehensible

Highlights the complete inability to understand something.

completely impenetrable

Stresses the impossibility of getting through or understanding something.

really ambiguous

Indicates a high level of uncertainty or vagueness.

exceptionally vague

Highlights the lack of precision and detail.

quite cryptic

Focuses on the mysterious and enigmatic nature.

unusually unintelligible

Stresses the difficulty in understanding due to poor articulation or structure.

noticeably murky

Emphasizes the lack of clarity, suggesting things are clouded or unclear.

remarkably abstruse

Highlights the deepness and difficulty in grasping the underlying concepts.

FAQs

How can I use "very opaque" in a sentence?

You can use "very opaque" to describe something that is difficult to understand or see through. For example, "The language used in the contract was "very opaque", making it hard to understand the terms".

What are some alternatives to using "very opaque"?

Alternatives to "very opaque" include "highly nontransparent", "extremely obscure", or "completely impenetrable" depending on the context.

Which is more appropriate: "very opaque" or "slightly opaque"?

"Very opaque" indicates a significant lack of clarity or transparency, while "slightly opaque" suggests a minor degree of opaqueness. The correct choice depends on the degree of clarity you want to convey. For example, the sky at dusk may be considered "slightly opaque", while a legal document might be "very opaque".

What's the difference between "very opaque" and "intentionally vague"?

"Very opaque" describes something that is difficult to understand, regardless of intent. "Intentionally vague" suggests that the lack of clarity is deliberate. A statement could be "very opaque" due to complex language, or it could be "intentionally vague" to avoid commitment.