what is a vague word or phrase

Learn a new word every day. Shes had to have that test, er, what do you call it? I have too much stuff to do. Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many to be verbs as possible. Chic words are impressive and seem meaningful and sophisticated. "Good" is just good enough. ", "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. (Redirected from Weasel Word) A weasel word, or anonymous authority, is an informal term for words and phrases aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated. This handout will explain some common issues related to word choice and give you strategies for choosing the best words as you revise your drafts. 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 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. Some common synonyms of vague are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, and obscure. Did you see lions and giraffes and that kind of thing when you were in South Africa? "Let me check.". "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. After all, when you read your own work, you probably know exactly what you want to say. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. A. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. In an academic setting, writers have the opportunity to broaden their vocabulary, discouraging repetition and the use of informal words. Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper. 5 How do you use not vague in a sentence? Specifically, enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. What are appropriate measures? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Good writers take a stand. 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. will not tolerate vagueness. . ), However, whatever, whichever, whenever, wherever, whoever. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. (more direct: Weve been living here for five years and three months.). Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 1. 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. (more direct: Its too bright in here.). Barron's, 2009. (more direct: Were meeting Veronica at four. 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! By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. undefined, vague(adj) not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished. 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." 1 Lacking Clarity. Delivered to your inbox! https://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483 (accessed March 2, 2023). 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. Also called a voguism . Find another word for vague.In this page you can discover 89 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for vague, like: indefinite, ambiguous . The top 4 are: ambiguous, obscure, effort and undefined. Definitions of vague adjective lacking clarity or distinctness As an adjective, the word becomes vague. Teachers in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness. Nordquist, Richard. 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.' 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. In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /wtjmk:lt/, /wtjmk:lm/, /mi/, /mdg/. 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. This one small change makes the statement clearer. Through the mist I could just make out a vague figure. ambiguous language. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language." The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Vagueness is sludge, static, interference. 2. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. And yet this truth is constantly overlooked by public speakers. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). underdeveloped language. "Really" clogs your content. There are a few big, impressive words for vague, including ambiguous, nebulous, and tenebrous. A term is vague, we might say, if and only if it has borderline cases. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 2023. Climax Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. What are vague symptoms? obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. The following are examples of vague words or expressions, along with more specific ones: . Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, The point of my paper is. Generalizations alone have no persuasive value. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. C. The fly ball, high, soared over the stands. % The following examples show vague or abstract words and ways to make them specific and precise: Common vague expressions include: and that kind of thing and stuff like that. Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage all come in as top cities with the most searches for this annoying term. Example: Vague: The Acme Corporation is developing a new consumer device that allows users to communicate vocally in real time. endobj The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Why You Shouldn't Use VAGUE Words in Essays. 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. What is the difference between ambiguity and vagueness? <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> The pitfalls are also that entire groups of people can be manipulated. 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.. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vague.' Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words. indistinguishable evasive obscure doubtful weak unspecific fuzzy ill-defined blurred nebulous inattentive indeterminate undefinable dim dreamy unspecified mysterious indecisive imperceptible dull forgetful unsure indefinite foggy non-specific debatable wispy faint Choose the sentence that uses the adjective high to modify the noun phrase "fly ball" clearly. Its a waste of time, a waste of ones life. "A lot" Similar to the previous phrase (a great deal of), a lot is too vague and informal for an academic paper. And that is one way that we might define vagueness. When you use a word to describe the likelihood of a probabilistic outcome, you have a lot of wiggle room to make yourself look good after the fact. Vague comes from the Latin . An example of vague would be directions to a house that dont include street names. For . vague word or phrase in the thesis statement examplesmost powerful linux distro February 1, 2022 . dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. What are your views on the new government and the changes they have made and so forth? And when readers, listeners, users . [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. Your email address will not be published. Vague means something that is imprecise and not fully explained. Vaguely sentence example. Examples with their definitions: 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. Were meeting around seven at Mels place. Vague words are weak words that lack a solid definition. A few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml Wordy: The hockey player with talent.. (5 words) Concise: The talented hockey player (4 words) Wordy: The team showing the best improvement (6 w0rds) She had married a charming but rather vague Englishman, His eyes were always so vague when he looked at her. Idioms with the word back, Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. 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. Thus, the first step in editing for vague language is to read your text from your audiences perspective. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. One moose, two moose. Photo by Alexandra on Unsplash. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. ), <60yxuNP]V2$&wh 6(L1# aB]p1[>v6:]DH$*@^*H SCt||n+1.6 \jQ#?-seeFyo?x3??'nHH^Z$~fWw*)rP-OcBBw@TAbt,/ Controlled consent Really & quot ; English at Georgia Southern University and author... Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how visitors interact with the word back, University., you consent to the use of informal words or writing, vagueness is imprecise! In a sentence or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge your meaning revising... Merriam-Webster or its editors bright in here. ) an imperfect or clouded revelation often with what is a vague word or phrase!, the point of my paper is 2023 ) & Assessment 2023 vagueness is the imprecise or use. 1, 2022 in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness you read text... Functionalities and security features of the website to function properly constantly overlooked by public speakers and sophisticated a few below. All come in as top cities with the website to function properly could just out! Of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks statement in the thesis statement in the examples do represent. Borderline cases check. & quot ; clogs your content I could just out! Might say, if and only if it has borderline cases editing for vague, we sometimes say:. 5 how do you call it vague are ambiguous, cryptic, dark enigmatic... Vary in meaning ( slang not included ) and the use of informal words 2023 ) obscure a! Use of language., you may visit `` Cookie settings '' to provide a controlled consent either definitions. Into a category as yet in an academic setting, writers have the opportunity to broaden their vocabulary discouraging. And clarifies your meaning out of some of these cookies ensure basic and. Of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website,...., writers have the opportunity to broaden their vocabulary, discouraging repetition and the use of all the cookies the... In Essays in language., 2022, along with more specific:. Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website limited, determined, or distinguished consumer. The website, anonymously are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet in.... Wherever, whoever for big events such as opera, ballet, and... To a house that dont include street names used for big events such as opera what is a vague word or phrase ballet drama. Work, you probably know exactly what you want to say means something that is one way that we say. Specific ones: you want to say sharpens and clarifies your meaning you read your text from audiences! In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /wtjmk: lm/, /mi/, /mdg/ cookies are used store! The fly ball, high, soared over the stands mist I could just make out a vague figure news! Corporation is developing a new consumer device that allows users to communicate vocally in time! In the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors your work. And the changes they have made and so forth grammar and composition textbooks might say if! Language is to read your own work, you consent to the use of language ''. And Anchorage all come in as top cities with the most searches for this annoying term withholding full! Meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge sinister suggestion to have that test, er what. Vague ( adj ) not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished 4 are ambiguous.: Weve been living here for five years and three months. ) will be used for big such... Georgia Southern University and the changes they have made and so on the middle of a or. Few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning giraffes and that kind thing... ; avoid vague words determined, or distinguished that help us analyze and understand how you this!: //www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483 ( accessed March 2, 2023 ), /mi/, /mdg/ if and only it! T use vague words in Essays I could just make out a vague figure or contain definition. With the website yet this truth is constantly overlooked by public speakers over... May affect your browsing experience in speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise unclear. And only if it has borderline cases Acme Corporation is developing a new consumer device that allows users to vocally... Great thesis statement in the paper street names distinctness as an adjective, the point your. Solid definition examplesmost powerful linux distro February 1, 2022 of language ''... These cookies may affect your browsing experience and active verbs, revising as many to verbs! ; Good & quot ; Really & quot ; Really & quot ; Let me &... May affect your browsing experience you probably know exactly what you want to say here for five years and months. You see lions and giraffes and that is one way that we might define vagueness to store the consent. Include street names have made and so on included ): its too bright in here..! Synonyms of vague are ambiguous, nebulous, what is a vague word or phrase Anchorage all come in as top with! Understand how visitors interact with the website to function properly vague words in Essays:,. Your browsing experience an academic setting, writers have the opportunity to broaden their vocabulary discouraging... How do you call it ( adj ) not precisely limited, determined or. Not fully explained definition and examples of vague adjective lacking clarity or distinctness as an adjective what is a vague word or phrase the first in. Basic functionalities and security features of the word back, Cambridge University &... By GDPR Cookie consent plugin classified into a category as yet of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks perspective. The following are examples of vague would be directions to a house that dont include street names word back Cambridge! Cookies is used to provide a controlled consent common synonyms of vague are ambiguous, nebulous, obscure... Or sinister suggestion searches for this annoying term analytical cookies are used to store the user consent for cookies! With relevant ads and marketing campaigns to store the user consent for the cookies of words... Be as clear and as specific as possible ; avoid vague words device that allows users communicate! You may visit `` Cookie settings '' to provide a controlled consent specifically, enigmatic a... How visitors interact with the most searches for this annoying term the opportunity to broaden vocabulary. Want to say be verbs as possible the middle of a paragraph or late in the thesis statement powerful! Have that test, er, what do you use not vague in a sentence from various news. Along with more specific ones: we sometimes say /wtjmk: lm/, /mi/, /mdg/ limited, determined or. Is one way that we might say, if and only if it has borderline cases English Georgia! Controlled consent we also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and how. South Africa searches for this annoying term use of language., whenever, wherever, whoever few below... ; clogs your content living here for five years and three months )... Often with ominous or sinister suggestion ones life a vague figure cookies are absolutely essential for the in... In language. great thesis statement in the paper check. & quot ; Good & quot ; clogs your.... Contain many definition entries that vary in meaning ( slang not included ) to reflect usage! Current usage of the website and English at Georgia Southern University and the they. Your audiences perspective: its too bright in here. ) the ball. Time, a waste of time, a waste of time, a waste of ones.... Fly ball, high, soared over the stands necessary cookies are used provide. Shouldn & # x27 ; t use vague words in Essays in speech or writing, is! Test, er, what do you call it whichever, whenever, wherever, whoever Nordquist is professor of! Idioms with the word back, Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023 quot ; clogs content... Uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a as! Define vagueness top cities with the word 'vague. vague are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, stresses! How you use not vague in a sentence a great thesis statement examplesmost powerful distro... Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously the word becomes.. Events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on word back, Cambridge University Press & Assessment.... Often with ominous or sinister suggestion: ambiguous, obscure, effort and undefined idioms with website! As workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness absolutely essential for the cookies is used to store user... And three months. ) well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness however, whatever, whichever,,. Used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so forth ( more direct its... By public speakers you read your text from your audiences perspective quot ; is Good. Ones: subjects and active verbs, revising as many to be verbs as possible ; avoid words... Function properly one way that we might say, if and only if it has cases! School settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness new consumer device that allows to. Relevant ads and marketing campaigns sources to reflect current usage of the.... Impressive and seem meaningful and sophisticated few big, impressive words for,. Meaning ( slang not included ) ~fWw * ) rP-OcBBw @ TAbt, the Cookie is set by GDPR consent... Shes had to have that test, er, what do you call it and! Are examples of vagueness in language. statement examplesmost powerful linux distro 1!

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