what is a vague word or phrase
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! 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. The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, The point of my paper is. ", "One characteristic of vaguenessis that it is related to the degree of formality, or rather informality, of the situation; the less formal the situation the more vagueness there will be", "[T]he need in oratory of the specific example, either in place of or immediately following the general statement, cannot be too strongly urged. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. 1. not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises. Its a rather vague term to put into Google. 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. Chic words are impressive and seem meaningful and sophisticated. I have too much stuff to do. 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. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". More often than not, a sentence will be made stronger when these pronouns are replaced by the specific noun instead. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. How to Differentiate Between Vagueness and Ambiguity. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. (more direct: We expect to take two years and four months to complete the project. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. 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. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. The Scheduling another Zoom meeting just doesn't feel the same. Such a word or phrase divides the world of objects into those it applies to 1, and those to which it doesn't apply. Below is a massive list of vague words - that is, words related to vague. "One of". Despite the appearance of having promised to do something specific, the minster has not really promised to do anything at all. When your instructors write things like "awkward," "vague," or "wordy" on your draft, they are letting you know that they want you to work on word choice. Ambiguity is when there is more than one clear meaning, and it is difficult to choose which meaning was intended. 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. See more. Why You Shouldn't Use VAGUE Words in Essays. And when readers, listeners, users . How often do we hear the common criticism of the typically weak, impressionless address: 'Platitudes and glittering generalities.' This will also reduce the chance that a reader might misinterpret the data or results being presented. Saw a vague outline of a building through the fog. ), However, whatever, whichever, whenever, wherever, whoever. When a word, phrase or sentence is ambiguous, it carries more than one possible meaning, which may cause confusion for the reader or listener. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 15 e.g. easy to be "true" or "real" when expressing yourself? Climax With vagueness, whether a given standard has been met is a function of the circumstances. 3 0 obj Vague words are weak words that lack a solid definition. B. What is the warmest city in Canada year round? 2. When a word, phrase or sentence is vague, its meaning is unclear or imprecise. "Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. Wheres the thing for cleaning the window? Imprecise; uncertain; indefinite. These were at their best vague plans. What are your views on the new government and the changes they have made and so forth? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. vagueness. Version 2 is an improvement: the words return to nature give your reader a better idea where the paper is headed. "Let me check" is a vague phrase that leaves your customer in limbo. A few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning. What does it mean to be vague in your writing? You could be referring to something that's slightly better than something else, something that's suitable, or something that's really good. The words enigmatic and vague are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Im more or less done here. You are here: Home 1 / Uncategorized 2 / vague word or phrase in the thesis statement examples. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Vague means something that is imprecise and not fully explained. 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. 2a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of whats needed also : slight a vague hint of a thickening waistline hasnt the vaguest idea. ), Whatever. Broadview Press, 2008. Choose the sentence that uses the adjective high to modify the noun phrase "fly ball" clearly. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. 19. % And yet this truth is constantly overlooked by public speakers. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Wordy: The hockey player with talent.. (5 words) Concise: The talented hockey player (4 words) Wordy: The team showing the best improvement (6 w0rds) cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. The house is equipped with a cooker, washing machine, television, etc. Specific: The governor touted mandatory recycling in his speech. The vagueness of 'This is a red shape' does not imply the vagueness of 'This is a shape.'". Generalizations alone have no persuasive value. should be challenged on grounds of vagueness. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We all do it. Avoid saying "one of the most important," "one of the best.". D. The high fly ball soared over the stands. 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. He never eats chocolate, sweets and that type of thing. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. Statutes that are vague are ordinarily void on that ground. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The main finding is a reverse phenomenon of enhanced contrast (i.e. Really. (more direct: Theres something I dont like about her. 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. Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper. I dont have a vague recollection of either game. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There are lot's of terms that are like tall: short, strong, weak, beautiful, ugly, heavy, light, warm, and cool--all of these are terms that seem to have borderline cases. We sometimes find vague category expressions in formal speaking, but we usually use different expressions, such as: and so forth, et cetera, and so on, and so on and so forth: [from a university lecture on literature]. The Australians believed in spirits, generally of an evil nature, and had vague notions of an after-life. (This is not a polite reply. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. To save this word, you'll need to log in. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". We can use vague expressions when we are not sure of the name of something. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The most common ones are: and so on and et cetera (which is shortened to etc .) Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage all come in as top cities with the most searches for this annoying term. 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: Which is an example of vagueness in speech? In the matrices below are often misused or overused words and optional replacement words to potentially "spice up" an essay. This noun is called the pronoun's antecedent. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/word-choice/ The words at the top of the list are the ones most associated with vague, and as you go down the relatedness . Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? Shes had that done but they still dont know whats causing her headaches. What does fair to all the parties mean? Your email address will not be published. (of persons) not clear or definite in thought, understanding, or expression: vague about his motives;a vague person. Instead of saying a great deal of, provide exact measurements or specific quantities. Here are some sentence examples of the word. Per Etymonline , the word has French origins, from a root word of the same spelling meaning vacant . Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. 'Call it a day' - Stop working on something. Kale is good for you because it is nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting, and loaded with antioxidants. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? The pitfalls are also that entire groups of people can be manipulated. The top 4 are: ambiguous, obscure, effort and undefined. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. endobj The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Vague. Vague language is language that talks about something without directly saying what it is. 16. 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! Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. Usage - Pronoun Reference. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. We usually give examples of members of the group or category (underlined below) and then add a vague expression, e.g. %PDF-1.7 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. Photo by Alexandra on Unsplash. Vague(verb) unsettled; unfixed; undetermined; indefinite; ambiguous; as, a vague idea; a vague proposition. ), We expect to take in or around two years to complete the project. Vague language use removes all movement, concrete verbs - and therefore action - from communication. The below list of synonyms for the word vague is provided by Power Thesaurus . Sometimes, vague symptoms are actually related to depression. To be a successful communicator, you need to eliminate all unnecessary, unintentional vagueness from your communications. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Joanna Cepuchowicz / EyeEm / Getty Images. 2023. The synonyms dark and vague are sometimes interchangeable, but dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. 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. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. It could be argued that members, household, and work are all vague words. Vagueness is sludge, static, interference. Things are moving ahead. I found that statement vague and unclear. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. 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. One moose, two moose. Nordquist, Richard. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun] If something such as a feeling is vague, you experience it only slightly. Such phrases are inherently vague and can mean almost anything. It does not store any personal data. 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 . endobj Through the mist I could just make out a vague figure. Where would dark be a reasonable alternative to vague? fly ball soared high over the stands. <>/Metadata 249 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R>> The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. When might equivocal be a better fit than vague? 1 0 obj What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? 5 How do you use not vague in a sentence? 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. " Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. aimless bleared blurred chaotic clouded complex cryptic diluted erratic evasive general generic girlish gracile in doubt inexact neutral obscure puzzled shadowy sketchy slender tenuous thin-set unclear unfixed unplain vacuous watered willowy. I have only a vague memory of the house where I lived as a child. and things like that and this, that and the other. When my three years of military service ended, I looked around for some way to get to spend time in rural Vietnam as a civilian. Vague Words Tables In the English language, writers commonly overuse certain words. I just need to double-check these sums before I print it off. "About" is a common vague word to be aware of in meetings and professional interactions. (2021, February 16). Writing is a great skill, but for it to be effective and understood, it must be clear and concise. As you read through your document on a word-by-word level, question. What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? . The heading above isn't another hint; the solution to today's Wordle answer is the word vague. As a result, the people who receive or use vague language, become passive themselves . Lets consider the word choice issues in these statements. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml, http://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483, http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/word-choice/, http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thesis-statement, http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/, developing a thesis statement for an essay, does a thesis statement need supporting evidence. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. They could be anything or nothing. Moderate: great, honorable, admirable, commendable, sound, splendid, superb, valuable, wonderful, worthy, clever, proficient, qualified, apt, skillful, thorough, wholesome Bold: excellent, exceptional, gratifying, marvelous, reputable, stupendous, superior, exemplary, virtuous, expert, solid, advantageous, flawless, extensive, perfect Bad That can lead you to overlook soft spots (see Critique). Write an essay that makes a prediction about what will happen in the portions of Frankenstein past Chapter 4. . 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. 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. Avoid using this vague phrase, because your academic writing should be specific and informative. What happens to atoms during chemical reaction? 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). others business administration students. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). 2023. 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. In addition to being ambiguous, vague words and phrases can render a good piece of research absolutely useless. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. <> Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. In an academic setting, writers have the opportunity to broaden their vocabulary, discouraging repetition and the use of informal words. A standard example of ambiguity is bank 'financial institution' vs. bank 'land at river's edge,' where the meanings are intuitively quite separate; in aunt 'father's sister' vs. aunt 'mother's sister,' however, the meanings are intuitively united into one, 'parent's sister.' Vagueness and Order Effects in Color Categorization. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Vague Language may also be called. She thought she vaguely remembered seeing the farmers market before. ", "Use details. My officials are monitoring this situation very closely, and I can promise that we shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the situation is resolved in a way that is fair to all the parties involved. ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. Macagno and Walton note that vagueness "can also be introduced for the purpose of allowing the speaker to redefine the concept he wishes to use" (Emotive Language in Argumentation, 2014). A vague pronoun is a pronoun for which it's not clear which noun is its antecedent. Well, whenever. 50 points Can someone help me write a thematic statement on pain and feeling uncomfortable, but to not run away from how you feel. Also called a voguism . Delivered to your inbox! Vague or abstract words tend to conceal your meaning. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 6 What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? Replace Vague Words with Specific Words. 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.. She rolled her eyes at the vague response. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Vague(verb) to wander; to roam; to stray. After all, when you read your own work, you probably know exactly what you want to say. Barron's, 2009. 21. 'No pain no gain' - You have to work hard for something you want. 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.
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