What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indeterminacy
Example
The indeterminacy of the election results left many people anxious. [indeterminacy: noun]
Example
The indeterminacy of the experiment's results made it difficult to draw conclusions. [indeterminacy: noun]
uncertainty
Example
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of the company. [uncertainty: noun]
Example
I am uncertain about whether I should take this job offer. [uncertain: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Uncertainty is more commonly used than indeterminacy in everyday language. Uncertainty is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indeterminacy is less common and typically used in more technical or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between indeterminacy and uncertainty?
Indeterminacy is more formal than uncertainty and is typically used in more technical or academic contexts.
