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Meaning & use

uncertainties

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ʌnˈsɜːtntiz/
US/ʌnˈsɜːrtntiz/

“uncertainties” is a form of “uncertainty”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounplural

    Things that are not known for sure or are not decided yet, often causing doubt.

    Grammar: Used as a plural countable noun: you can say 'several uncertainties' or 'the uncertainties of life'. The singular is 'uncertainty'.

    Patterns

    • uncertainties about something
    • the uncertainties of something
    • face uncertainties
    • reduce uncertainties

    The report lists the main uncertainties about the project's cost.

    There are still many uncertainties about the new law.

    Scientists try to reduce uncertainties in their measurements.

  2. nounplural

    A feeling of not being sure about something or of having doubts.

    Grammar: Often used with 'about' or 'over': 'uncertainties about the future'. This sense is more personal and emotional.

    Patterns

    • uncertainties about something
    • uncertainties over something
    • express uncertainties

    She shared her uncertainties about taking the job.

    His uncertainties over the decision made him wait.

    We all have uncertainties about the future sometimes.

  3. nounpluraltechnical

    In science and statistics, ranges or amounts by which a measured value may be wrong.

    Grammar: Technical use; often appears in phrases like 'measurement uncertainties' or 'with uncertainties of ±2%'.

    Patterns

    • measurement uncertainties
    • uncertainties of something
    • with uncertainties of

    The experiment reported uncertainties of plus or minus five percent.

    All measurements have some uncertainties.

    The graph shows the uncertainties as error bars.

Word forms

singularuncertainty

Common combinations

face uncertainties
Businesses face many uncertainties in a changing market.
reduce uncertainties
More data helped reduce the uncertainties in the study.
economic uncertainties
Economic uncertainties made investors nervous.
uncertainties about the future
Young people often have uncertainties about the future.
the uncertainties of life
We must accept the uncertainties of life.

Synonyms and how they differ

doubts
Doubts are feelings of not being sure, often about a person or decision; uncertainties are broader and can also mean unknown facts or risks.
risks
Risks are possible dangers or losses; uncertainties are simply things not known for sure, which may or may not be dangerous.
unknowns
Unknowns are facts that are not known at all; uncertainties are things that are not fully known or are still undecided.

Opposites

certainties

Word family

uncertain adjective
Not sure or not known for sure: 'The date is still uncertain.'
uncertainly adverb
In a way that shows you are not sure: 'He spoke uncertainly.'
certainty noun
The state of being completely sure or something that is sure to happen.

Commonly confused: uncertainties or uncertainty?

uncertainties vs uncertainty

Uncertainty is the singular form and is often uncountable: 'There is uncertainty about the plan.' Use 'uncertainties' when you mean several separate unclear points.

Practice

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