very unclear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very unclear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something is difficult to understand or interpret. For example: "The instructions were very unclear; I had a hard time figuring out what I was supposed to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The situation was very unclear.

Independent

"It all looks very unclear".

The New York Times

"This is very unclear," he said.

The Guardian

What happens next, however, is very unclear.

The Guardian

We have very unclear and contradictory narratives".

The Guardian

Greer, by contrast, is very unclear.

The Guardian - Arts

The assumptions of HS2 are very unclear," they say.

The Guardian

It is very unclear what kind of Brexit they want.

The Guardian

Even though we won, it was still very unclear.

The New York Times - Sports

Cassidy says, It's very unclear what he actually stands for.

The New Yorker

"It's very unclear what's going to happen," he continues.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very unclear", consider whether a more specific term might better convey the nature of the lack of clarity. For example, instead of "very unclear", you could say "ambiguous", "vague", or "uncertain".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very unclear" without specifying why something is unclear. Add context to clarify the nature of the uncertainty, such as "The instructions were "very unclear" regarding the final deadline".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very unclear" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something lacking in clarity or precision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The high frequency of examples shows it's versatile in expressing uncertainty across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very unclear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to express a significant lack of clarity. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI and its numerous examples, it is prevalent in various contexts, including news, scientific reports, and business communications. While perfectly acceptable, refining your language to include specific reasons for the lack of clarity enhances the informative value of your writing. Consider using alternatives such as "highly ambiguous" or "quite vague" for nuance. Remember to avoid simply stating that something is "very unclear" without further clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite vague

Suggests a lack of precision or detail.

highly ambiguous

Emphasizes the potential for multiple interpretations, stronger than just lacking clarity.

rather uncertain

Focuses on the doubtfulness or unpredictability of the situation.

distinctly hazy

Conveys a sense of cloudiness or lack of sharpness in understanding.

somewhat indefinite

Highlights the lack of defined limits or boundaries.

patently obscure

Suggests the meaning is hidden or not easily discovered.

largely cryptic

Implies a deliberate attempt to conceal the meaning.

decidedly perplexing

Emphasizes the confusing and puzzling nature of the situation.

utterly baffling

Suggests a complete inability to understand or explain.

totally unintelligible

Emphasizes that the information cannot be understood.

FAQs

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

You can use "very unclear" to describe something that is difficult to understand or interpret, such as "The policy implications of the idea are "very unclear"," or "It is "very unclear" what kind of Brexit they want".

What can I say instead of "very unclear"?

You can use alternatives like "highly ambiguous", "quite vague", or "rather uncertain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "very unclear" or "not very clear"?

Both "very unclear" and "not very clear" are grammatically correct. "Very unclear" directly expresses a strong lack of clarity, while "not very clear" is a more indirect way of saying the same thing.

What's the difference between "very unclear" and "unclear"?

"Very unclear" emphasizes a greater degree of ambiguity or lack of understanding compared to simply saying something is "unclear". The addition of "very" intensifies the adjective.