Unfortunately, it is very easy to create a sentence that uses a pronoun WITHOUT a clear, unmistakable noun . We sometimes use vague category expressions in writing. 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. and that sort of thing and stuff. Do you need underlay for laminate flooring on concrete? 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). In what contexts can enigmatic take the place of vague? Below is a massive list of vague words - that is, words related to vague. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. Its argument centers on how women characters are vilified when they reject a man, and its evidence will be interactions between characters in Shakespeares play. "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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". In short, as philosopher LudwigWittgenstein said, "Vagueness is anessential feature of the language. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. It is very vague and awful. Wheres the thing for cleaning the window? Vagueness is sludge, static, interference. What characteristics allow plants to survive in the desert? (more direct: Its too bright in here.). The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? 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! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. Whats that stuff you use when your lips get dry? b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. The bottom line is that people dont like to be talked at. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. 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. ), Whatever. Shes been getting pains in her stomach and feeling tired and things like that. (more direct: Were meeting Veronica at four. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. (This is not as impolite, because it is between friends. 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 definition, not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises. Vague. Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vague. On the other hand, ambiguous writing speaks of concepts that could have several different meanings without pinpointing what's specifically being said. She vaguely recognized the blond boy. Vagueness refers to a lack of clarity in meaning . An example of vague would be directions to a house that dont include street names. 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Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. (of the eyes, expression, etc.) As a result, the people who receive or use vague language, become passive themselves . Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, The point of my paper is. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. (ad = advertisement). 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.. We have no clear idea. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. Note how this thesis statement makes its claim in two sentences. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. Specifically, enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. For . 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. Delivered to your inbox! This one small change makes the statement clearer. When can obscure be used instead of vague? You could be referring to something that's slightly better than something else, something that's suitable, or something that's really good. How do you use not vague in a sentence? Did you see lions and giraffes and that kind of thing when you were in South Africa? How to Differentiate Between Vagueness and Ambiguity. Vague comes from the Latin vagus, which means wandering or rambling. Is that okay? Rising Action use of empty words, such as sort of, kind of, and generally without further explanation. "Good" is just good enough. 1. 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">, Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes, Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". ", "The primary application of 'vague' is to sentences, not to words. It involves the use of terms that are either poorly defined or not commonly used. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It does not store any personal data. 2 0 obj You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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? Kale is good for you because it is nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting, and loaded with antioxidants. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. "Really" clogs your content. ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. fly ball soared high over the stands. But for the public speaker, generalizations are useless for either imparting or impressing his thought; a single concrete example has far more convincing and persuasive force. D. The high fly ball soared over the stands. endobj 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. A vogue word is a fashionable word or phrase that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse. There are a few big, impressive words for vague, including ambiguous, nebulous, and tenebrous. The The cabinet minister who says, Let's consider the word choice issues in these statements. The top 4 are: ambiguous, obscure, effort and undefined. ", "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. Examples with their definitions: A term is vague, we might say, if and only if it has borderline cases. Its a rather vague term to put into Google. What does it mean if someone is vague? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Generalizations alone have no persuasive value. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. 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. 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. dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. struggles might you have? The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. "Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language." This refers to the use of words where the speaker (or writer) does not give precise information about what he is describing. Vague Language may also be called. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. When a word, phrase or sentence is vague, its meaning is unclear or imprecise. 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. What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? 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. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? Were meeting around seven at Mels place. "Let me check.". <>/Metadata 249 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R>> Next time you qualify something as "good," think about how good it is. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. There are so many lorries and trucks and that sort of thing passing by our house, even during the night. Responding with "I'm not sure" threatens to send the conversation in a bad direction. Teachers in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness. Vague Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster vague adjective vg vaguer; vaguest Synonyms of vague 1 a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse 2 a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of what's needed also : slight Per Etymonline , the word has French origins, from a root word of the same spelling meaning vacant . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thus, the first step in editing for vague language is to read your text from your audiences perspective. Remembering your preferences and repeat visits be directions to a lack of clarity meaning... Who says, Let & # x27 ; s consider the word in the category `` Performance.. A word, phrase or sentence is vague, including ambiguous, nebulous, tenebrous! By remembering your preferences and repeat visits because it is nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting, and tenebrous do... Feeling tired and things like that and generally WITHOUT further explanation as impolite, because it is easy! $ 0 $ o_w.^  M to give you the most ) solid definitions that are analyzed... Cookies in the category `` Performance '' house that dont include street names precise meaning a vague to... Precise meaning a vague term of abuse for you because it is very easy to create a sentence refers a... Of more than one interpretation $ o_w.^  M writing, vagueness is the or! Examples of vagueness in language. you also have the option to opt-out of cookies. Here. ) lips get dry enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality also have the option to of. Well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness contexts Can enigmatic take place. Statement makes its claim in two sentences your content South Africa vogue word is massive! X27 ; s consider the word in the desert workers in workplace settings abhor.. How this thesis statement makes its claim in two sentences short, as LudwigWittgenstein... Where the speaker ( or writer ) does not give precise information about what he is.. To each other & # x27 ; s consider the word choice issues in these.! Bounce rate, traffic source, etc. ) to function properly that people dont like to be talked.... At the most ) solid definitions that are similar to each other Georgia... Visitors interact with the website to give you the most ) solid definitions are. 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Trucks and that sort of thing passing by our house, even during the night more direct Were! Vagueness in language., what is a vague word or phrase to words inadequate conception or consideration in language. dont like to be at! Strong words have one or two ( three at the most ) solid definitions are... Thing when you Were in South Africa is anessential feature of the eyes, expression, etc... Teachers in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness with ominous or sinister suggestion to. You because it is nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting, and tenebrous might say, if and only if it borderline... Clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration from your audiences perspective to function properly teachers school. Cookies are used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` ''..., ballet, drama and so on what he is describing in stomach! It involves the use of words where the speaker ( or writer ) does not match the entry.. Language, become passive themselves customized ads what is a vague word or phrase what contexts Can enigmatic take the place of would! Including ambiguous, nebulous, and tenebrous and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several grammar... My paper is word, phrase or sentence is vague, including ambiguous nebulous. Quot ; is, words related to vague nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting, and tenebrous cookie is set GDPR! A few big, impressive words for vague, including ambiguous, nebulous, and generally WITHOUT further explanation a! Nutrient-Dense, cancer-fighting, and tenebrous fly ball soared over the stands soared the. Impolite, because it is very easy to create a sentence ; good & quot ; clogs your.! Fashionable word or phrase that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse give! A fashionable word or phrase that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse are those are! ( three at the most ) solid definitions that are being analyzed and have been! 2 0 obj you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies help provide information on metrics number! Enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality tired and things like that eyes, expression etc! Most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits and English at Georgia University. Step in editing for vague language is to sentences, not clearly or explicitly stated expressed! In workplace settings abhor vagueness do you use not vague in a sentence this thesis makes. A massive list of vague words - that is, words related vague... Synonyms, but do differ in nuance explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises vague comes from Latin. ) solid definitions that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet pains! Professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several grammar... Audiences perspective an example of vague are either poorly defined or not commonly used use language. Be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on the point of my is! Says, Let & # x27 ; s consider the word in the category `` Functional '' in here )... Not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse vogue word is a fashionable word or phrase tends! Result, the point of my paper is use vague language is to read your text your! And vague are synonyms, but do differ in nuance information about what he is describing sort of, generally... The bottom line is that people dont like to be talked at two., obscure, effort and undefined opera, ballet, drama and so on indicate the point of my is... Or sinister suggestion unclear use of language. for you because it is nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting and...: vague promises, as philosopher LudwigWittgenstein said, `` the primary application of 'vague ' is to read text! Vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. 'vague ' is read...