Ambiguous vs. Ambivalent: How to Use the Right Word in the Right Context

A plenty of words in the English language make a researcher halt while writing a piece of research. Two such words are ambiguous vs. ambivalent.

If you also feel uncertain about the usage of the words ambiguous vs. ambivalent, read this blog that will give you the exact explanation of ambivalent meaning, ambiguous meaning and help you understand the difference between them.

Table of Contents

• Ambiguous (often mis-typed as ambiguos) meaning
• Ambivalent meaning
• Difference between ambiguous and ambivalent

Ambiguous (often mis-typed as ambiguos) meaning

Ambiguous refers to something that is unclear, vague, or has multiple possible meanings. It can create confusion or uncertainty because it lacks clarity or precision. In research, ambiguity can occur in various forms such as unclear language, imprecise definitions, or insufficient evidence. It is crucial to avoid ambiguity in research writing to ensure the accuracy and validity of the results.

Example: The results of the study were ambiguous, and the researchers were unable to draw a clear conclusion.

Ambivalent meaning

Ambivalent refers to having mixed feelings or conflicting emotions towards something or someone. It is the state of being uncertain or indecisive about a particular issue or person. In research, ambivalence can occur when there are conflicting results or opinions on a particular topic, and it can be challenging to reach a consensus.

Example: The researchers were ambivalent about the effectiveness of the new drug as the results were inconclusive.

Difference between ambiguous and ambivalent

The primary difference between ambiguous and ambivalent is that ambiguous refers to something that is unclear or has multiple possible meanings, while ambivalent refers to having mixed feelings or conflicting emotions.

Ambiguity is related to language and meaning, while ambivalence is related to emotions and feelings.

Here are some examples to bring out the difference between ambiguous and ambivalent

• The survey questions were ambiguous, making it challenging to interpret the responses.
• The research findings were ambivalent as some participants reported positive results while others reported negative results.
• The new policy was ambiguous, and the employees were uncertain about the implications.
• The researcher felt ambivalent about including the controversial data in the report.
• The contract was written in an ambiguous language, leaving room for interpretation and confusion.
• The researchers had ambivalent feelings towards the use of animal testing, as it was necessary for scientific advancement but raised ethical concerns.

Did that clear your ambiguity on the usage of ambiguous vs. ambivalent? We hope it did.

And if you found the article helpful, wait, there’s more! There are many such confusing words we have written about, such as, beside vs. besides, dose vs. dosage, fewer vs. less, and many more; do go ahead and give them a read.

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster. 

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed. 

Experience the future of academic writing – Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!