Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. How is the word vague different from other adjectives like it? Where would dark be a reasonable alternative to vague? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words. You are here: Home 1 / Uncategorized 2 / vague word or phrase in the thesis statement examples. 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. ambiguous language. 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. 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]. Example: Vague: The Acme Corporation is developing a new consumer device that allows users to communicate vocally in real time. (ACE the question). As an adjective, the word becomes vague. 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.. Climax 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. . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Antonyms: distinct, clear. Lacking definite shape, form, or character; indistinct. 'Call it a day' - Stop working on something. In addition to being ambiguous, vague words and phrases can render a good piece of research absolutely useless. Change a phrase into a single word or an adjective. The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. Send us feedback. One moose, two moose. 6 What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? How to Differentiate Between Vagueness and Ambiguity. And that is one way that we might define vagueness. The top 4 are: ambiguous, obscure, effort and undefined. A pronoun should refer clearly to one, clear, unmistakable noun coming before the pronoun. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure will not tolerate vagueness. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. "Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. Have I used any words that need to be unpacked, words that mean a lot to me that readers may not understand without additional clarifications? Being vague. ), Weve been living here for more or less five years. 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 Example: One of the most important writing rules is to . (countable) Something which is vague, or an instance or example of vagueness. Yeah. I cant meet up later. ), However, whatever, whichever, whenever, wherever, whoever. Watch this video learn how to use these words in sentences.#english #communication #language #speakenglish #learnenglish #sentences It is very vague and awful. endobj 'Should be' sounds pretty vague to me; 'required' makes sense too. His own messengers brought him vague news of unrest from the battlefront and news of there being new opponents at the battle. 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. Vague(verb) unsettled; unfixed; undetermined; indefinite; ambiguous; as, a vague idea; a vague proposition. Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language. Vague(verb) to wander; to roam; to stray. If a predicted event happens, one might declare . What are appropriate measures? As an adjective, the word becomes vague. 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. If you have vague symptoms that are due to a physical cause, they may be described as a general ill feeling or lethargy. Were meeting around seven at Mels place. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Nglish: Translation of vague for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of vague for Arabic Speakers. 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 . 1 Lacking Clarity. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Vague. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vague. instructor's instructions to "Go home and write a page Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. Below is a massive list of vague words - that is, words related to vague. 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. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. You could be referring to something that's slightly better than something else, something that's suitable, or something that's really good. others business administration students. vague 7 letter words. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "Let me check.". 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? Past perfect simple or past perfect continuous? 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. 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. Avoid saying "one of the most important," "one of the best.". 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. When can obscure be used instead of vague? borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, going back to Old French, "wandering, vagabond," borrowed from Latin vagus "moving freely, wandering," perhaps akin to Old High German wankn "to totter, stagger," winkan "to waver, stagger, wink," Old English wincian "to close the eyes" more at wink entry 1, circa 1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a. 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 The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? . These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vague.' By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. As an adjective, the word becomes vague . ThoughtCo. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Replace Vague Words with Specific Words. ), Were meeting Veronica at four-ish. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Shes got a small dog, a kind of poodle, or something. They could be anything or nothing. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. Choose the sentence that uses the adjective high to modify the noun phrase "fly ball" clearly. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. The main finding is a reverse phenomenon of enhanced contrast (i.e. 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. (more direct: Theres something I dont like about her. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml When would cryptic be a good substitute for vague? Next time you qualify something as "good," think about how good it is. It can mean I dont want to talk to you. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We sometimes use vague category expressions in writing. Moreover, what is a vague word?When something is vague, its unclear, murky, and hard to understand. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). Kale is good for you because it is nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting, and loaded with antioxidants. The vagueness of 'This is a red shape' does not imply the vagueness of 'This is a shape.'". Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. When might equivocal be a better fit than vague? 2 What is a vague word or phrase examples? People use it, but not one sentence stops working if "in order to" is deleted (or replaced with "to," which has the same meaning). 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. 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. 'A blessing in disguise' - An misfortune that eventually results in something good happening later on. 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. (more direct: Weve been living here for five years and three months.). Vague means something that is imprecise and not fully explained. In the matrices below are often misused or overused words and optional replacement words to potentially "spice up" an essay. equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. Vague means that the information is lacking in detail - if you give a vague description of something, the listener/reader won't be able to imagine the subject with much precision. Wordy: The governor talked about several of the merits of mandatory recycling in his speech. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. -Adrienne Dowhan et al., Essays That Will Get You into College, 3rd ed. "Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language." Being very factual can sometimes sound too direct in speaking, and so we add vague expressions. The distinction between the two is clear (now). As an adjective, the word becomes vague. 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. Vaguely sentence example. 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. Nordquist, Richard. Delivered to your inbox! Some common words that are often used in vague scientific statements include they, it, them, these, and those. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. showing lack of clear perception or understanding: a vague stare. http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/, Your email address will not be published. We have no clear idea. Vague comes from the Latin vagus, which means wandering or rambling. And yet this truth is constantly overlooked by public speakers. What are vague symptoms? ls it The heading above isn't another hint; the solution to today's Wordle answer is the word vague. Professors detest vagueness. They state a general idea but leave the precise meaning to the receiver's interpretationThe following examples show vague or abstract words and ways to make them specific and precise: Notice in the preceding examples how adding a few words makes the meaning precise. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun] If something such as a feeling is vague, you experience it only slightly. How is vague language used in everyday life? vagueness. >^A9='(5,c^Y~{{]T"bjE~~:p]#i+[D~fCTx-%-AqITn/3 J8 Wi>>p9=(? Well, theyre not sure. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Some common synonyms of vague are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, and obscure. Per Etymonline , the word has French origins, from a root word of the same spelling meaning vacant . Let's say you have researched the link between drinking soda and obesity. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This question has several vague words, most of which would be missed by the vast majority of respondents. 2. indefinite or indistinct in nature or character, as ideas or feelings: a vague premonition of disaster. Vague comes from the Latin . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". I need to buy cards and wrapping paper and stuff like that. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Lets consider the word choice issues in these statements. ", "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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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 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. . Think of it this way: If you're saying . 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. What happens to atoms during chemical reaction? Use descriptions if you need to convey your impression of an object, scene, or person. Use precise quantities instead of this overly . The fly ball soared over the stands high. Specifically, enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. An example of vague would be directions to a house that dont include street names. Required fields are marked *. Your prediction must be reasonable and s . 1. " Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. 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). 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. She had married a charming but rather vague Englishman, His eyes were always so vague when he looked at her. 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. The Australians believed in spirits, generally of an evil nature, and had vague notions of an after-life. Delivered to your inbox! Shes had that done but they still dont know whats causing her headaches. (ad = advertisement). It could be argued that members, household, and work are all vague words. The pitfalls are also that entire groups of people can be manipulated. 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. Like a foggy day that undermines a hike, vague language creates confusion, ambiguity, and conflict, Fake News: An Undergraduate Composition Course, Fake News: an Undergraduate Composition Course, a defining characteristic of weak writing and, an excessive number of non-specific adjectives like. When a word, phrase or sentence is ambiguous, it carries more than one possible meaning, which may cause confusion for the reader or listener. 18. 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 . Im more or less done here. Have I defined terms and concepts the reader may not understand? In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /wtjmk:lt/, /wtjmk:lm/, /mi/, /mdg/. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. %PDF-1.7 ", "Use details. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. People who use them should be challenged to say more precisely what they mean. [ ( yooh-fuh-miz-uhm) ] An agreeable word or expression substituted for one that is potentially offensive, often having to do with bodily functions, sex, or death; for example, rest room for toilet, lady of the evening for prostitute. 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. However, these words all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. How often do we hear the common criticism of the typically weak, impressionless address: 'Platitudes and glittering generalities.' 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. These are called hedges: about, kind of, sort of, -ish (suffix), stuff, things: Theres sort of something I dont like about her. She thought she vaguely remembered seeing the farmers market before. The following are examples of vague words or expressions, along with more specific ones: . What does it mean to be vague in your writing? Avoid formula and generic words. 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. The house is equipped with a cooker, washing machine, television, etc. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Wheres the thing for cleaning the window? Avoid the pitfalls of boring, clichd words, vague and overused abstractions, and technical jargon. 129 129 16. . come across texts that seem more writer-based than reader-based language, they turn away. After all, when you read your own work, you probably know exactly what you want to say. Usage - Pronoun Reference. , What do you think of Langston Hughes' response to the 1. Learn a new word every day. We use certain vague expressions to make groups or categories. Photo by Alexandra on Unsplash. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. 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. There are so many lorries and trucks and that sort of thing passing by our house, even during the night. I have only a vague memory of the house where I lived as a child. Things are moving ahead. I found that statement vague and unclear. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. Vague language is words and phrases that arent very exact or precise. Although the words ambiguous and vague have much in common, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. Vague language use removes all movement, concrete verbs - and therefore action - from communication. 4 adj If you describe someone as vague, you mean that they do not seem to be thinking clearly. Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! You're better off pushing for more information to get a better idea of what they are saying. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The most common ones are: and so on and et cetera (which is shortened to etc .) The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. While in some cases nearly identical to vague, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But the vagueness of a sentence does not imply that vagueness of every constituent word. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Its a rather vague term to put into Google. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. "Really" clogs your content. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. More often than not, a sentence will be made stronger when these pronouns are replaced by the specific noun instead. ", "Vague words are very common on surveys. 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. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. Vague Language may also be called. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. and that sort of thing and stuff. Instead of saying a great deal of, provide exact measurements or specific quantities. Vague(verb) proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report. 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 Rising Action 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. Good writers take a stand. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. necklaces, bracelets and things like that. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In an academic setting, writers have the opportunity to broaden their vocabulary, discouraging repetition and the use of informal words. A pronoun is a word used to stand for (or take the place of) a noun. And when readers, listeners, users . What does it mean if someone is vague? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. B. 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. 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
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