uncertainty

/ʌnˈsɜːtnti/ (bre, ipa) · /ʌnˈsɜːrtnti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn-tē/ (ame, mw)

uncertainty — noun

  • uncertaintysingular
  • uncertaintiesplural

1. the feeling or situation of not knowing what is true, what will happen, or what

1.名詞B2
釋義

the feeling or situation of not knowing what is true, what will happen, or what to believe; also used for a particular fact or event that no one can be sure about

例句

Linh felt a deep uncertainty about whether she had made the right career choice.

uncertainty + about + whether-clause for expressing doubt

The uncertainties of starting a new business kept Hiro awake at night.

plural form: uncertainties (countable uses for specific unknown factors)

同義詞
  • doubt

    more specific to a questioning or skeptical state of mind; uncertainty is broader and can describe a situation rather than a personal feeling

  • confusion

    focuses on being unable to understand or distinguish things clearly, while uncertainty is more about lack of knowledge or predictability

  • hesitation

    refers to a pause or delay in action caused by doubt, whereas uncertainty describes the underlying state of mind itself

反義詞
  • certainty

    the opposite state of being completely sure or having no doubt

文法句型

uncertainty + about/over/as to + noun/wh-clause

uncertainty + whether/if clause

uncertainties + of + noun phrase (plural countable)

用法筆記

Uncertainty is most often uncountable when referring to a general state of doubt ('There is widespread uncertainty about the new policy'). The plural form uncertainties is used to name specific things that are unknown or undecided ('Every plan has its uncertainties'). The singular countable form an uncertainty exists but is far less common than the uncountable or plural uses.

常見錯誤

❌There is uncertainty of the outcome.
✅There is uncertainty about the outcome.
💡The standard preposition after uncertainty is about, over, or as to, not of.
❌I have many uncertainties about my career choice.' (when describing a general feeling)
✅I have a lot of uncertainty about my career choice.
💡Use the uncountable form for a general feeling of doubt; reserve the plural for specific unknown factors.
❌The uncertainty weather made us stay home.
✅The uncertainty about the weather made us stay home.
💡Uncertainty is a noun, not an adjective; use it with a preposition to connect to the topic.