widespread ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widespread ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a significant amount of uncertainty or unclear meaning across a broad context or among many people. Example: "The new policy introduced by the government has led to widespread ambiguity regarding its implementation and effects on the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Both economic factors and the lifestyle and culture of London generate widespread ambiguity about the future.

Comparative Migration Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Despite the widespread use of microarrays, much ambiguity regarding data analysis, interpretation and correlation of the different technologies exists.

BMC Genomics

The new governor saw clearly the ambiguities and dangers of such widespread support, and, although he was identified as a federalist, he ruled as a centralist, with Buenos Aires his main power base.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By way of comparison, a failure to isolate phage with increased fitness on 6fW or the widespread elimination of tryptophan codons would have indicated that codon ambiguity was not an acceptable evolutionary path.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The currently accepted distributions of the two felids show them to be widespread and continuously distributed within India [13], [15], [17], however there remain ambiguities in leopard cat distribution and their presence in Central India is questioned [15], [16].

Plosone

And underlying it all is a disturbing moral ambiguity to the whole question of paying tax that appears to be widespread in Whitehall, in government and among some rich donors to all parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a widespread tendency to denigrate the role of lawyers and judges in the attempts to resolve the ambiguity over the presidential election (Op-Ed, Nov. 24).

The New York Times

There is widespread frustration not only about the lack of clear incentives or career development guidelines, but also about ambiguity in contracts.

Human Resources for Health

The ambiguity of the legality of abortion (judicial and religious), and the severity of punishment, leads to widespread confusion and reluctance among medical practitioners to perform abortions.

Health Policy and Planning

The ambiguities and confusion associated with determining the boundaries of racial categories have over time provoked a widespread scholarly consensus that discrete or essentialist races are socially constructed, not biologically real.

SEP

UML is a widespread language used in both industry and academia, despite the fact that its semantics is still informal and allows ambiguities.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widespread ambiguity", ensure the context clearly indicates what area or issue the ambiguity pertains to. Providing specific examples can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "widespread ambiguity" without specifying the subject or area affected. This can lead to vagueness and weaken the impact of your statement. Provide specific context or examples to ground the ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread ambiguity" functions as a noun phrase, where 'widespread' modifies 'ambiguity'. It describes a state or condition characterized by a significant lack of clarity across a broad scope. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widespread ambiguity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a broad state of uncertainty or lack of clarity. Ludwig AI indicates that it's suitable for use in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse contexts like science, news, and encyclopedias. The phrase serves to highlight prevailing uncertainties, and as such, is suited to a neutral or formal register. It's important to provide context when using this phrase to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "pervasive uncertainty" or "broad lack of clarity" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pervasive uncertainty

Emphasizes the broad reach of the uncertainty, similar to "widespread ambiguity".

broad lack of clarity

Highlights the absence of clear understanding or definition.

general vagueness

Focuses on the lack of specificity and precision.

extensive uncertainty

Stresses the large scale of the uncertainty present.

common misunderstanding

Highlights a shared lack of proper understanding among people.

overall confusion

Indicates a state of widespread bewilderment and lack of understanding.

rampant obscurity

Emphasizes the hidden or unclear nature of something on a large scale.

prevalent indistinctness

Highlights the lack of clear boundaries or definitions that is broadly noticeable.

universal opacity

Focuses on the widespread lack of transparency or understandability.

across-the-board imprecision

Indicates a lack of precision affecting all areas or aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "widespread ambiguity" in a sentence?

You can use "widespread ambiguity" to describe situations where uncertainty or lack of clarity is prevalent. For example, "The new regulations caused "widespread ambiguity" among businesses regarding compliance."

What are some alternatives to "widespread ambiguity"?

Alternatives include "pervasive uncertainty", "general vagueness", or "broad lack of clarity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "widespread ambiguity" grammatically correct?

Yes, "widespread ambiguity" is grammatically correct. It combines an adjective ("widespread") with a noun ("ambiguity") to describe a common state of uncertainty or lack of clear understanding.

What does "widespread ambiguity" typically refer to?

"Widespread ambiguity" often refers to situations where there is a lack of clear understanding or definition across a broad area or among many people, such as in legal interpretations, policy implementations, or social norms.