Visually indistinct or unclear Having a meaning that is open to several interpretations Undecided or irresolute about something (of a person) Not concentrating or thinking clearly more Adjective Visually indistinct or unclear indistinct unclear blurred dim faint hazy obscure shadowy misty nebulous blurry amorphous bleary cloudy foggy 15 e.g. and that kind of thing and stuff like that. ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. Avoid the pitfalls of boring, clichd words, vague and overused abstractions, and technical jargon. equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. Shes been getting pains in her stomach and feeling tired and things like that. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thesis-statement A term is vague, we might say, if and only if it has borderline cases. How is vague language used in everyday life? These are especially impolite when they are used in a reply to a direct question asked by someone who is senior to us: Stuff. While the synonyms equivocal and vague are close in meaning, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. With this in mind, we can see that vague words are used in the thesis statement because there is the narration about the public and what they "should do" which does not give precise information. 2023. [from a university lecture on communication], If you use an advertisement in the newspaper, a thirty-second ad on television et cetera et cetera, it will receive quite a wide audience but theres relatively little you can say in it. "Taking this offline" is but a cruel reminder of the days when we could follow up a conversation over coffee or by swinging by someone's office. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. ), Were meeting Veronica at four-ish. Also called a voguism . an excessive number of non-specific adjectives like good, bad, okay, pretty, happy, and sad, which give an audience only a superficial and general sense of emotion or description. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. ambiguous language. This question has several vague words, most of which would be missed by the vast majority of respondents. Vague Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster vague adjective vg vaguer; vaguest Synonyms of vague 1 a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse 2 a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of what's needed also : slight A vague pronoun is a pronoun that lacks a clear antecedent.In the sentence, "Even though the car backed in the wall it was not damaged.", it's not clear which noun the pronoun 'it' represents.. ), Weve been living here for more or less five years. Find another word for vague.In this page you can discover 89 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for vague, like: indefinite, ambiguous . These were at their best vague plans. What is the difference between ambiguity and vagueness? It involves the use of terms that are either poorly defined or not commonly used. Is that okay? . undefined, vague(adj) not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished. While in some cases nearly identical to vague, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. Antonyms: distinct, clear. We often add words and phrases such as about, kind of, sort of, and that kind of thing to make what we say less factual and direct: There were about twenty people at the meeting. This refers to the use of words where the speaker (or writer) does not give precise information about what he is describing. use of empty words, such as sort of, kind of, and generally without further explanation. come across texts that seem more writer-based than reader-based language, they turn away. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. {(TR=&Wn5C](o*H iQ qAHn!6y-4 5K vO;JPgKTAjCr '%-aA$hrbhewSMQ96@_(nJXIsgZRAQ+!5ve:Qm(>fc?#;=z$ ( /GjA:*aqic+.GUr Hhza3>P#0(t9?I?3$$2"l,H @ \+qN/cGP#`SGOx:]/5 Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. See definition of vague on Dictionary.com adj. Past perfect simple or past perfect continuous? Use descriptions if you need to convey your impression of an object, scene, or person. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The vague words or phrases in the thesis statement below are: This refers to the use of words where the speaker (or writer) does not give precise information about what he is describing. struggles might you have? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. 3. not clearly perceptible: vague murmurs. An example of vague would be directions to a house that dont include street names. Nglish: Translation of vague for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of vague for Arabic Speakers. D. The high fly ball soared over the stands. Change a phrase into a single word or an adjective. Vague means something that is imprecise and not fully explained. ", -Willam Hughes and Jonathan Lavery, Critical Thinking: An Introduction to the Basic Skills, 5th ed. Shes had to have that test, er, what do you call it? Vague Words A vague word appears to have one basic sense (monosemy) which is nevertheless flexible enough to allow for minor variations in meaning or use which are not . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Adjective: vague. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 0C_XV#/%1t"^}(_tzt!`,f+zr~k_tft. Vague words are very common on surveys. Vague(verb) proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report. 50 Words and Phrases That You Should Cut From Your Blogging (Now) 1) About: "About" is a vague, weak word and it's wise to cut it out when discussing quantities. Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer, 20 Best free fitness apps for Android devices. Moreover, what is a vague word?When something is vague, its unclear, murky, and hard to understand. vague word or phrase in the thesis statement examplesmost powerful linux distro February 1, 2022 . Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. 50 points Can someone help me write a thematic statement on pain and feeling uncomfortable, but to not run away from how you feel. These expressions include: what do you call it?, whats it called?, its a kind of X, its a sort of X, its a type of X, or something, thing, stuff: Vals been in hospital for tests. And when readers, listeners, users . Vague(noun) an indefinite expanse. Photo by Alexandra on Unsplash. 36. A uses whenever to show that she is annoyed that she has been contradicted about the time and that it doesnt really matter whether its six thirty or seven. The book has often been looked at from a feminist perspective and so forth but I want to look at it from a political perspective today. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous? dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. Vagueness is sludge, static, interference. The Australians believed in spirits, generally of an evil nature, and had vague notions of an after-life. 21. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. , .will be true"? Where would dark be a reasonable alternative to vague? Vague. Did you see lions and giraffes and that kind of thing when you were in South Africa? >^A9='(5,c^Y~{{]T"bjE~~:p]#i+[D~fCTx-%-AqITn/3 J8 Wi>>p9=(? You might want to use these phrases if you arent sure of all the details of something, to speak informally in a friendly way, or perhaps just to save time in a conversation! Saw a vague outline of a building through the fog. Avoid using this vague phrase, because your academic writing should be specific and informative. 3 0 obj . Vague or abstract words tend to conceal your meaning. 'Should be' sounds pretty vague to me; 'required' makes sense too. Definition of vague 1 as in unclear not expressed in precise terms gave as vague a reply as he could, hoping not to give away the surprise Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance unclear ambiguous fuzzy cryptic indefinite inexplicit confusing nebulous obscure enigmatic hazy muzzy indistinct murky enigmatical unintelligible undefined uncertain equivocal underdeveloped language. Let's say you have researched the link between drinking soda and obesity. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In other words, you can't tell which word the pronoun is replacing.Example 1:When the car hit a tree, it made a . 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? The below list of synonyms for the word vague is provided by Power Thesaurus . 2. (more direct: Its too bright in here.). The definition of vague is something unclear, hazy or uncertain. Shes got a small dog, a kind of poodle, or something. x=[o{(PpAnPy-^W3JJnxgs#ry?Mubwg+zw~=:x|+H^JfE|Wx/_&^?K[>-~yWuz_*3u~huw/R|q(fIX$1C8B?Mm@~bh_u\d@$? The following are examples of vague words or expressions, along with more specific ones: . Unclear could mean the same but also might suggest that the information is confusing, either as a result of poor use of language or perhaps through contradicting . (This is not a polite reply. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". (more direct: Ill see you at 8 tomorrow morning for breakfast. vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). It does not store any personal data. In the matrices below are often misused or overused words and optional replacement words to potentially "spice up" an essay. As you read through your document on a word-by-word level, question. 'No pain no gain' - You have to work hard for something you want. 1. "Let me check" is a vague phrase that leaves your customer in limbo. Contrast with clarity and specificity. The words obscure and vague can be used in similar contexts, but obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. Yeah. What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? The plan was vague on detail, leaving them wondering what to do next. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". A vogue word is a fashionable word or phrase that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse. It's a rather vague term to put into Google. He never eats chocolate, sweets and that type of thing. Replace Vague Words with Specific Words. 2a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of what's needed also : slight a vague hint of a thickening waistline hasn't the vaguest idea. Their report is deliberately vague on future economic prospects. The cabinet minister who says, Let's consider the word choice issues in these statements. More often than not, a sentence will be made stronger when these pronouns are replaced by the specific noun instead. Things are moving ahead. I found that statement vague and unclear. Nglish: Translation of vague for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of vague for Arabic Speakers. The words enigmatic and vague are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Instead of saying, My new boss has a weird appearance, for instance, you could write: My new boss has purple hair and dark-red lipstick, and instead of a business suit, she wore jeans and a singlet.. Highlight the vague word or phrase in the thesis statement below. 71. Next time you qualify something as "good," think about how good it is. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. In short, as philosopher LudwigWittgenstein said, "Vagueness is anessential feature of the language. Think of it this way: If you're saying . Responding with "I'm not sure" threatens to send the conversation in a bad direction. Below is a massive list of vague words - that is, words related to vague. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? In Version 1, the word importantlike interestingis both overused and vague; it suggests that the author has an opinion but gives very little indication about the framework of that opinion. I need to buy cards and wrapping paper and stuff like that. tonight" and their claim that "that page We sometimes use vague category expressions in writing. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. Get more specific by using the word "approximately" or giving readers a specific range, as in "15-20 cows got loose.". Don't be vague." 2) Accordingly: Accordingly is a chunky word and it . Being vague. 2. Future: other expressions to talk about the future, Future: present continuous to talk about the future (, Future: present simple to talk about the future (, Verb patterns: verb + infinitive or verb + -, Modality: other modal words and expressions, Conjunctions: causes, reasons, results and purpose, Relative clauses referring to a whole sentence, Relative clauses: defining and non-defining, Forming negative statements, questions and imperatives. Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many to be verbs as possible. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand the logic of your paper. adjective Word forms: vaguer or vaguest 1. not clearly, precisely, or definitely expressed or stated 2. indefinite in shape, form, or character; hazily or indistinctly seen or sensed 3. not sharp, certain, or precise in thought, feeling, or expression vague in his answers, a vague hope 4. not precisely determined or known; uncertain 6 What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? When would cryptic be a good substitute for vague? If something is groundbreaking, it is very new and a big change from other things of its type. What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? What happens to atoms during chemical reaction? Vague language use removes all movement, concrete verbs - and therefore action - from communication. The vagueness of 'This is a red shape' does not imply the vagueness of 'This is a shape.'". In other words, "tall" is vague. <>/Metadata 249 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R>> "A lot" Similar to the previous phrase (a great deal of), a lot is too vague and informal for an academic paper. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. Statutes that are vague are ordinarily void on that ground. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. Vague Language may also be called. They could be anything or nothing. . Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. She vaguely recognized the blond boy. Imprecise; uncertain; indefinite. (2021, February 16). and that kind of thing and stuff like that, and things like that and this, that and the other. (more direct: Were meeting Veronica at four. Nordquist, Richard. For example, Go down the road a ways and then turn right is vague because a ways does not precisely explain how far one should go down the road. But the vagueness of a sentence does not imply that vagueness of every constituent word. You might want to use these phrases if you arent sure of all the details of something, to speak informally in a friendly way, or perhaps just to save time in a conversation! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. "Vague or abstract words can create wrong or confusing meanings in your receiver's mind. It is very vague and awful. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. To save this word, you'll need to log in. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Synonyms: obscure, faint, shadowy, wispy, dim, undefined. ls it Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Vague language is defined as words or phrases "which deliberately refer to people and things in a non-specific, imprecise way" (Carter & McCarthy, 2006, cited in Cutting, 2007). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. When can vague expressions be impolite? vague adjective [ -er/-est only ] us / ve / not clearly stated, described, or explained, or not clearly seen or felt: She had a vague feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Wordy: The governor talked about several of the merits of mandatory recycling in his speech. To save this word, you'll need to log in. 1 Lacking Clarity. Being very factual can sometimes sound too direct in speaking, and so we add vague expressions. easy to be "true" or "real" when expressing yourself? What are your views on the new government and the changes they have made and so forth? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. How often do we hear the common criticism of the typically weak, impressionless address: 'Platitudes and glittering generalities.' However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Chic words are impressive and seem meaningful and sophisticated. Climax Vague Language (aka Ambiguous Language) isif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'writingcommons_org-box-3','ezslot_7',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-writingcommons_org-box-3-0'); Vague Language may also be calledif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'writingcommons_org-leader-1','ezslot_0',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-writingcommons_org-leader-1-0'); Related Concepts: Concrete Language, Sensory Language; Description; Given to New Contract; Reader-Based Prose Style; Register; Writer-Based Prose. ), Whatever. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. Have I defined terms and concepts the reader may not understand? (more direct: Weve been living here for five years and three months.). Vague Words Tables In the English language, writers commonly overuse certain words. What concentration is considered as concentrated? A vague uneasiness possessed me. Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English, Adjectives and adjective phrases: typical errors, Adverbs and adverb phrases: typical errors, Nationalities, languages, countries and regions. http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/, Your email address will not be published. Specific: The Acme Corporation is developing a new cell phone. Is acceleration and accelerated motion same? I have only a vague memory of the house where I lived as a child. This one small change makes the statement clearer. Whenever possible, change phrases to less words. Meaning of vague in English. Example: Vague: The Acme Corporation is developing a new consumer device that allows users to communicate vocally in real time. obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. Were meeting around seven at Mels place. Definitions of vague adjective lacking clarity or distinctness As an adjective, the word becomes vague. It is either the most important or not. We generally use vague language when we dont know the name of something, or to make things sound less factual, or to talk about groups and categories. As a result, your reader knows only that youre going to talk about river and shore scenes, but not what youre going to say. The encyclopedia for writers, researchers, and knowledge workers, Like a foggy day that undermines a hike, vague language undermines communication, creating confusion, ambiguity, and conflict / Moxley. 5 How do you use not vague in a sentence? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. %PDF-1.7 Why You Shouldn't Use VAGUE Words in Essays. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Avoid saying "one of the most important," "one of the best.". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. But for the public speaker, generalizations are useless for either imparting or impressing his thought; a single concrete example has far more convincing and persuasive force. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. necklaces, bracelets and things like that. InVagueness as a Political Strategy (2013),Giuseppina Scotto di Carlo observes that vagueness is "a pervasive phenomenon in natural language, as it seems to be expressed through nearly all linguistic categories." The most common ones are: and so on and et cetera (which is shortened to etc.). (This is not as impolite, because it is between friends. ")]LIBnv|JH+J$0$ o_w.^  M. On the other hand, she still does not know how this return to nature is crucial to your understanding of the novel. If a predicted event happens, one might declare . A word is vague when it is not obvious to a respondent what referents (e.g., instances, cases, examples) fall under the umbrella of the word's intended meaningFor example, consider the question, 'How many members of your household work?' Its argument centers on how women characters are vilified when they reject a man, and its evidence will be interactions between characters in Shakespeares play. negative hysteresis), present in two different tasks, a comparative task involving two color names, and a yes/no task involving a single color name, but not found in a corresponding color matching task. If you have vague symptoms that are due to a physical cause, they may be described as a general ill feeling or lethargy. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml 1 adj If something written or spoken is vague, it does not explain or express things clearly., (Antonym: precise) The description was pretty vague.. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. How do you use not vague in a sentence? Thus ambiguity corresponds to separation, and vagueness to unity, of different meanings. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. Really. We all do it. Although vagueness often occurs unintentionally, it may also be employed as a deliberate rhetorical strategy to avoid dealing with an issue or responding directly to a question. Barron's, 2009. Delivered to your inbox! It may be essentially doubtful whether this is a red shape because it is essentially doubtful whether this is red, although beyond doubt that it is a shape. Vagueness undermines interpretation.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'writingcommons_org-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-writingcommons_org-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Readers, listeners, users . The adverb vaguely probably comes from the Latin word vagus, which means wandering, or uncertain. Its origin is unclear, which is fitting for a word that means mistily. If you dont want to go to your friends tuba recital, you can say vaguely, I think I might have something else to do that night. Definition and Examples of Speakers in Language Studies, Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York. Where you have to go into a type of X-ray machine. Vague: The thing was to . Some common synonyms of vague are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, and obscure. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. A vague pronoun is a pronoun for which it's not clear which noun is its antecedent.

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