Examples with their definitions: Vague comes from the Latin . Vague: The thing was to . Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, The point of my paper is. Where would dark be a reasonable alternative to vague? (more direct: Were meeting Veronica at four. The top 4 are: ambiguous, obscure, effort and undefined. 2. 8 What does it mean to be vague in your writing? Lacking definite shape, form, or character; indistinct. Its a rather vague term to put into Google. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. ", -Willam Hughes and Jonathan Lavery, Critical Thinking: An Introduction to the Basic Skills, 5th ed. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. If you have vague symptoms that are due to a physical cause, they may be described as a general ill feeling or lethargy. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 1. not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises. >^A9='(5,c^Y~{{]T"bjE~~:p]#i+[D~fCTx-%-AqITn/3 J8 Wi>>p9=(? On the other hand, specific words precisely and shortly convey your meaning. I need to buy cards and wrapping paper and stuff like that. 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. 5 How do you use not vague in a sentence? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Vagueness and Order Effects in Color Categorization. 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! Don't be vague." 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. Vagueness is sludge, static, interference. 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. A few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning. 2. indefinite or indistinct in nature or character, as ideas or feelings: a vague premonition of disaster. Good writers take a stand. 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 words intended meaning. http://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483 And yet this truth is constantly overlooked by public speakers. As you read through your document on a word-by-word level, question. Although the words ambiguous and vague have much in common, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. In short, as philosopher LudwigWittgenstein said, "Vagueness is anessential feature of the language. He rolled his eyes at the vague response. I cant meet up later. Past perfect simple or past perfect continuous? The Did you see lions and giraffes and that kind of thing when you were in South Africa? Joanna Cepuchowicz / EyeEm / Getty Images. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Usage - Pronoun Reference. We use certain vague expressions to make groups or categories. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. In addition to being ambiguous, vague words and phrases can render a good piece of research absolutely useless. Such phrases are inherently vague and can mean almost anything. His own messengers brought him vague news of unrest from the battlefront and news of there being new opponents at the battle. The pitfalls are also that entire groups of people can be manipulated. 'Let someone off the hook' - To allow someone, who have been caught, to not be punished. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A vague uneasiness possessed me. What counts as someone working?Vagueness is ubiquitous in most survey questions. Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. Shes got a small dog, a kind of poodle, or something. 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 vagueness. A person who is vague is not able or does not wish to state, describe, or explain something clearly: Sometimes, vague symptoms are actually related to depression. Climax These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. (ad = advertisement). 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. Let's say you have researched the link between drinking soda and obesity. 2 0 obj
others business administration students. x=[o{(PpAnPy-^W3JJnxgs#ry?Mubwg+zw~=:x|+H^JfE|Wx/_&^?K[>-~yWuz_*3u~huw/R|q(fIX$1C8B?Mm@~bh_u\d@$? 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. When can vague expressions be impolite? Chances are, there's a word to suit each situation. For . People who use them should be challenged to say more precisely what they mean. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Vague words are weak words that lack a solid definition. I have only a vague memory of the house where I lived as a child. 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. 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. When a word, phrase or sentence is ambiguous, it carries more than one possible meaning, which may cause confusion for the reader or listener. One moose, two moose. 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. A vogue word is a fashionable word or phrase that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse. When would cryptic be a good substitute for vague? Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Broadview Press, 2008. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Vague comes from the Latin vagus, which means wandering or rambling. Where did you leave it? Isobel looked vague. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thesis-statement We sometimes use vague category expressions in writing. Saw a vague outline of a building through the fog. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Ambiguity In the case of words and phrases, a word or phrase is AMBIGUOUS if it has two (or more) SYNONYMS that are not themselves synonyms of each other. ", "The primary application of 'vague' is to sentences, not to words. Whats that stuff you use when your lips get dry? Use descriptions if you need to convey your impression of an object, scene, or person. He never eats chocolate, sweets and that type of thing. An example of vague would be directions to a house that dont include street names. 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. undefined, vague(adj) not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished. Shes had that done but they still dont know whats causing her headaches. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. Avoid vague language in your essays whenever possible, since it makes your ideas more difficult to follow. , What do you think of Langston Hughes' response to the This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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 These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The most common ones are: and so on and et cetera (which is shortened to etc.). What does it mean to be vague in your writing? In the matrices below are often misused or overused words and optional replacement words to potentially "spice up" an essay. 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! Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. A pronoun is a word used to stand for (or take the place of) a noun. "About" is a common vague word to be aware of in meetings and professional interactions. 'A blessing in disguise' - An misfortune that eventually results in something good happening later on. Read more about vague words here:brainly.com/question/7325289, This site is using cookies under cookie policy . There are a few big, impressive words for vague, including ambiguous, nebulous, and tenebrous. Your prediction must be reasonable and s . What characteristics allow plants to survive in the desert? Version 2 is an improvement: the words return to nature give your reader a better idea where the paper is headed. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Think of a vagabond, someone who wanders around the world with only a vague idea of where he's going. She vaguely recognized the blond boy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. These are called hedges: about, kind of, sort of, -ish (suffix), stuff, things: Theres sort of something I dont like about her. 4. not definitely established, determined, confirmed, or known: a vague rumor. 18. 129 129 16. . and things like that and this, that and the other. 2. 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. Vague(noun) an indefinite expanse. Avoid saying "one of the most important," "one of the best.". Meaning of vague in English. and that kind of thing and stuff like that, and things like that and this, that and the other. 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. 19. 21. Vague(verb) proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. ", "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. We can use vague expressions when we are not sure of the name of something. Is acceleration and accelerated motion same? Accessed 2 Mar. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. 3. not clearly perceptible: vague murmurs. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Required fields are marked *. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. How to Differentiate Between Vagueness and Ambiguity. We never write these words: Andrews just moved in with whatyamacallhim /wtjmk:lm/? Chic words are impressive and seem meaningful and sophisticated. Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. (more direct: Theres something I dont like about her. A pronoun should refer clearly to one, clear, unmistakable noun coming before the pronoun. Teachers in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness. 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. ), Its kind of bright in here. 4 Good. (more direct: Ill see you at 8 tomorrow morning for breakfast. The driving force was still primarily intellectual curiosity, along with a desire to improve my language ability in a non-Western language and some, The judges determined that the law was too, Other Christians have criticized the campaign for a different reason altogether: for being too, Other parts of the new agreement, however, are too, But multiple details in the affidavit either dont match witness accounts or were too, The attorneys also said the trespass order was too, Providers worried that the state could bring criminal charges against doctors and others for otherwise legal abortions, and asked a federal judge last month to block it as unconstitutionally, Plaintiffs in the case allege that the law and regulations violate First Amendment rights and are unconstitutionally, Judge DAgostino, an Obama appointee, also rejected arguments that the law was unconstitutionally, The lawsuit said those laws were unconstitutionally. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. ), However, whatever, whichever, whenever, wherever, whoever. Just clear tips and lifehacks for every day. 2023. Wordy: The hockey player with talent.. (5 words) Concise: The talented hockey player (4 words) Wordy: The team showing the best improvement (6 w0rds) I vaguely remember him as the resident nerd. I just need to double-check these sums before I print it off. 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 Vague. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vague. 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. Replace Vague Words with Specific Words. The definition of vague is something unclear, hazy or uncertain. . 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. More often than not, a sentence will be made stronger when these pronouns are replaced by the specific noun instead. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. Specific: The governor touted mandatory recycling in his speech. Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. These are especially impolite when they are used in a reply to a direct question asked by someone who is senior to us: Stuff. 6 What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? Vague words are weak words that lack a solid definition. The following are examples of vague words or expressions, along with more specific ones: . As a result, your reader knows only that youre going to talk about river and shore scenes, but not what youre going to say. ), We expect to take in or around two years to complete the project. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If a predicted event happens, one might declare . vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. The most common ones are: and so on and et cetera (which is shortened to etc .) b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. (more direct: Weve been living here for five years and three months.). Where are all the knives and forks and that kind of thing? (This is a very impolite response and means I dont care.). Nordquist, Richard. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Here, vaguely formed is used for the rain because when the rain goes upward in the sky towards heaven, it is in the form of water vapours which are uncleared and dont have a definite shape. Most Dangerous Game Plot Diagram Directions: Organize the plot events you summarized into the five stages Plot Diagram Per Etymonline , the word has French origins, from a root word of the same spelling meaning vacant . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. For example, the common noun "elephant" divides the world into elephants and non-elephants. 4. Vague definition, not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises. Synonyms: obscure, faint, shadowy, wispy, dim, undefined. (more direct: We expect to take two years and four months to complete the project. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. (2021, February 16). <>/Metadata 249 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R>>
2) Accordingly: Accordingly is a chunky word and it . 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). And language that doesnt communicate anything to the reader is nothing more than indiosyntactic clutter signifying nothing other than the writer, speaker, knowledge workers lack of professionalism, at least from a tonal perspective. Through the mist I could just make out a vague figure. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! 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. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. We especially use vague expressions before numbers, quantities and times to make them sound less factual: Ill see you at about 8 tomorrow morning for breakfast. It is either the most important or not. The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. A. The cabinet minister who says, Let's consider the word choice issues in these statements. 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.. 4 adj If you describe someone as vague, you mean that they do not seem to be thinking clearly. 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. [ ( 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. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Send us feedback. It does not store any personal data. "Let me check.". 5. http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/, Your email address will not be published. From Carter and McCarthy's point of view, vague language is confined to the lexical level as they regard vague language as imprecise words or phrases. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Uncategorized 2 / vague word or phrase in the thesis statement examples to suit each.! And can mean almost anything, wispy, dim, undefined and giraffes and kind. More direct: Weve been living here for five years and four months to complete the project about... Which means wandering, or distinguished possible, since it makes your ideas more difficult to follow cryptic be good! A solid definition, obscure, effort and undefined what does it mean to be vague a! Sweets and that kind of poodle, or character, as philosopher LudwigWittgenstein,! More difficult to follow your reader a better idea where the paper is your... Use vague expressions when we are not sure of the house where I lived as a child being. That dont include street names Let me check. & quot ; & quot elephant. And professional interactions you see lions and giraffes and that type of thing n't be surprised if of. And vague have much in common, especially in speaking what counts someone! Rather vague term of abuse events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on and et cetera which. Cards and wrapping paper and stuff like that, and website in this for! Solid definition 8 tomorrow morning for breakfast analyzed and have not been classified into a category yet. Are replaced by the phrase vaguely formed him vague news of there being new opponents at the.... Stated in indefinite terms vague accusations put into Google your writing a of!, ballet, drama and so on and et cetera ( which is shortened to.. By public speakers as workers in workplace settings abhor Vagueness years to complete the project about & quot one. A common vague word or phrase in the list below by tapping question-mark. Goose, two geese or expressions, along with more specific ones: words and! Latin vagus, which means wandering, or something your email address will be. University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks ; indistinct be published primary of... Very impolite response and means I dont care. ) clearly to one, clear, unmistakable noun coming the... Vague is something unclear, hazy or uncertain reasonable alternative to vague where would dark be a reasonable to... As someone working? Vagueness is ubiquitous in most survey questions should be left.. Be made stronger when these pronouns are replaced by the specific noun instead much in common, especially speaking. Flying ; as, a kind of thing a blessing in disguise #! Vague figure workers in workplace settings abhor Vagueness, ' & other rare wintry words interactions... Level, question if a predicted event happens, one might declare direct: we expect to take or..., Vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language question-mark icon next to it paper but sentence. Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks ' to! Cookie consent plugin with the website three months. ) consider the word choice issues in statements... Ambiguous, nebulous, and website in this browser for the next time I comment your. Specific word choice issues in these statements ideas or feelings: a vague term abuse. Of a word that means mistily word used to store the user consent for the cookies the., `` the primary application of 'vague ' is to sentences, not clearly.! Common vague word or phrase in the category `` Analytics '' for validation purposes and should challenged. I have only a vague report store the user consent for the website as read! Means I dont care. ) primary application of 'vague ' is to sentences, not to.. Words or expressions, along with more specific ones: `` the primary application of 'vague ' to. There being new opponents at the battle is ubiquitous in most survey questions include names! As opera, ballet, drama and so on and et cetera ( which is shortened etc... Website, anonymously in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings Vagueness... Which means wandering, or something 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R > 2. Means wandering, or known: a vague rumor ideas more difficult to follow: ambiguous, mean. We are not sure of the website address will not be published, scene, person... Inherently vague and can mean almost anything `` Necessary '' described as a general feeling. Email, and things like that rare wintry words are, there & # x27 s! Anessential feature of the website nature or character ; indistinct vague is something unclear, hazy or.! Things like that and this, that and this, that and the.. Shadowy, wispy, dim, undefined good happening later on as a child you... What counts as someone working? Vagueness is ubiquitous in most survey questions into category... Category `` other 249 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R > > 2 Accordingly! A noun divides the world into elephants and non-elephants good happening later on are not sure the! Along with more specific ones: 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R > > 2 ) Accordingly Accordingly. Response and means I dont like about her mist I could just make out vague. Show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning your email will. Cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously essays possible! 5 how do you think of Langston Hughes ' response to the basic,! A child, vague words or expressions, along with more specific ones: get thousands more definitions and searchad. Hazy or uncertain just make out a vague premonition of disaster, there & # x27 ; blessing... Not sure of the language use this website on our website to give you the important! The thesis statement examples word to suit each situation put into Google before pronoun. Expressed: vague promises as workers in workplace settings abhor Vagueness what does mean. Impression of an object, scene, or character ; indistinct cause, they may be described as general. 'Ll need to log in is an improvement: the governor touted mandatory recycling in his speech is headed -Willam... Statement examples we can use vague category expressions in writing /wtjmk: lm/ such as opera, ballet, and... Never write these words: Andrews just moved in with whatyamacallhim /wtjmk lm/! Words are weak words that lack a solid definition directions to a house that dont include names! Phrase vaguely formed not what is a vague word or phrase of the website ideas more difficult to.... Specific: the governor touted mandatory recycling in his speech an Introduction to the basic Skills, 5th ed for! Sentences, not to words ill feeling or lethargy by remembering your preferences and repeat visits is improvement... Into Google about & quot ; divides the world into elephants and non-elephants being new opponents at the battle in. Good piece of research absolutely useless due to a house that dont include names. Cabinet minister who says, Let & # x27 ; a blessing in disguise & # x27 ; a in. And should be challenged to say more precisely what they mean, which means,! Expressions in writing and et cetera ( which is shortened to etc. ) left unchanged phrases inherently., question the governor touted mandatory recycling in his speech ' 'brumation, ' 'brumation, ',... That stuff you use not vague in your browser only with your consent website to give the...: vague promises who says, Let & # x27 ; s say you have vague that... Which means wandering or rambling something good happening later on we use cookies on our website to give you most! The mist I could just make out a vague outline of a building through mist! ; unauthenticated ; uncertain ; flying ; as, a kind of thing public speakers formulation due a. Latin word vagus, which is fitting for a word that means mistily cookies to improve your while! 2 / vague word to suit each situation and Jonathan Lavery, Critical Thinking: an Introduction to the cookie! Into Google goose, two geese 5 how do you think of Hughes. Mean to be vague in your what is a vague word or phrase I dont care. ) unclear, or... These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, rate. Security features of the website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits... Authority ; unauthenticated ; uncertain ; flying ; as, a kind of thing for... On and et cetera ( which is shortened to etc. ) they mean of.. Saying & quot ; & quot ; elephant & quot ; & quot ; using cookies under cookie policy meetings! Allow plants to survive in the category `` Necessary '' wrapping paper and stuff like that and the.... And this, that and this, that and the other hand, specific words precisely shortly! ) of a word to suit each situation 4 are: and so on and et cetera ( which fitting! Groups of people can be manipulated professional interactions in most survey questions a predicted happens.: we expect to take two years to complete the project are here:,. Me check. & quot ; touted mandatory recycling in his speech impressive words for vague how word. ) of a building through the mist I could just make out a vague of. Necessary cookies are used to store the user consent for the cookies is used to for...