Cool MateAmbiguous vs You can't know for sure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ambiguous
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B1
You can't know for sure
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: You can't know for sure
| Ambiguous | You can't know for sure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs//🇺🇸 //æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs// | 🇬🇧 //juː kɑːnt nəʊ fɔː ʃɔː//🇺🇸 //ju kænt noʊ fɔr ʃʊr// |
| Meaning | Something that can be understood in different ways. | You cannot be completely certain. |
| Example | The instructions were so ambiguous that no one could follow them. | You can't know for sure if he will come to the party. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Collocations | ambiguous statement, ambiguous situation, ambiguous language, ambiguous response, ambiguous meaning | you can't know for sure, no one can know for sure, you can't predict for sure, cannot say for sure, hard to know for sure |
| Antonyms | clear, definite, unambiguous | - |
| Common mistakes | Used as 'ambiguous to' instead of 'ambiguous about', Confused with similar words like 'vague' or 'obscure', Overused in contexts that require more specific language | Saying 'You can know for sure' instead, which is contradictory., Using it in very formal contexts where more precise language is expected., Confusing it with 'You should know for sure,' which suggests obligation. |
| Usage notes | Used in discussions about language or situations where meanings are unclear. Avoid in formal writing when clarity is needed. | This phrase is often used to express uncertainty. It may be informal, but it's appropriate in most contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ambiguous vs You can't know for sure
What's the difference between Ambiguous and You can't know for sure?
Ambiguous: Something that can be understood in different ways. You can't know for sure: You cannot be completely certain.
Which is more common: Ambiguous and You can't know for sure?
You can't know for sure is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Ambiguous: The instructions were so ambiguous that no one could follow them. You can't know for sure: You can't know for sure if he will come to the party.
Can I use Ambiguous and You can't know for sure interchangeably?
Not always. Ambiguous and You can't know for sure are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.