2. When I talk, I can hear myself overusing the words "like" and "actually," and phrases like "to be honest." These are often referred to as . When might equivocal be a better fit than vague? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 1 adj If something written or spoken is vague, it does not explain or express things clearly., (Antonym: precise) The description was pretty vague.. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. 'Let someone off the hook' - To allow someone, who have been caught, to not be punished. Yeah. Required fields are marked *. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. struggles might you have? b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. "One of". 15 e.g. Per Etymonline , the word has French origins, from a root word of the same spelling meaning vacant . What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? What are vague symptoms? They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). Use descriptions if you need to convey your impression of an object, scene, or person. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Being very factual can sometimes sound too direct in speaking, and so we add vague expressions. Replace Vague Words with Specific Words. In one of George Ade's Forty Modern Fables a man has certain stock phrases which he uniformly uses in all discussions pertaining to art, literature, and music; and the moral is, 'For parlor use, the vague generality is a life-saver.' Learn a new word every day. Definition and Examples of Vagueness in 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. '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. When can vague expressions be impolite? 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. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). I don't have a vague recollection of either game. Nordquist, Richard. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". A pronoun is a word used to stand for (or take the place of) a noun. How to Avoid Vague Writing. The plan was vague on detail, leaving them wondering what to do next. "Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language." What concentration is considered as concentrated? instructor's instructions to "Go home and write a page [ ( 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. Send us feedback. 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. I have only a vague memory of the house where I lived as a child. Avoid saying "one of the most important," "one of the best.". However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. 2 Multiple Meanings. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 36. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 4 adj If you describe someone as vague, you mean that they do not seem to be thinking clearly. Nglish: Translation of vague for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of vague for Arabic Speakers. 59. (of the eyes, expression, etc.) Delivered to your inbox! Climax 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. 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. I have only a vague notion of what she does for a living. Watch this video learn how to use these words in sentences.#english #communication #language #speakenglish #learnenglish #sentences There are a few big, impressive words for vague, including ambiguous, nebulous, and tenebrous. x=[o{(PpAnPy-^W3JJnxgs#ry?Mubwg+zw~=:x|+H^JfE|Wx/_&^?K[>-~yWuz_*3u~huw/R|q(fIX$1C8B?Mm@~bh_u\d@$? 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 should be challenged on grounds of vagueness. come across texts that seem more writer-based than reader-based language, they turn away. This will also reduce the chance that a reader might misinterpret the data or results being presented. negative hysteresis), present in two different tasks, a comparative task involving two color names, and a yes/no task involving a single color name, but not found in a corresponding color matching task. 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. A vogue word is a fashionable word or phrase that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse. However, these words all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations. 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. Sometimes, vague symptoms are actually related to depression. A vague uneasiness possessed me. (uncountable) The condition of being unclear; vague. Vagueness is ubiquitous in most survey questions. The difference between ambiguity and vagueness is a matter of whether two or more meanings associated with a given phonological form are distinct (ambiguous), or united as non-distinguished subcases of a single, more general meaning (vague). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. We can use vague expressions when we are not sure of the name of something. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thesis-statement .2y:x\ Barron's, 2009. A. 17. In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /wtjmk:lt/, /wtjmk:lm/, /mi/, /mdg/. The fly ball soared over the stands high. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Writers sometimes use too many vague words to express a concept when a more precise word would communicate more clearly. Vague or abstract words tend to conceal your meaning. Imprecise; uncertain; indefinite. 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 21. Change a phrase into a single word or an adjective. Well, theyre not sure. In short, as philosopher LudwigWittgenstein said, "Vagueness is anessential feature of the language. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Shes been getting pains in her stomach and feeling tired and things like that. As an adjective, the word becomes vague . People use it, but not one sentence stops working if "in order to" is deleted (or replaced with "to," which has the same meaning). 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. Things are moving ahead. I found that statement vague and unclear. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand the logic of your paper. Examples with their definitions: As you read through your document on a word-by-word level, question. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. See more. 2) Accordingly: Accordingly is a chunky word and it . 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. obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. Avoid formula and generic words. 'Should be' sounds pretty vague to me; 'required' makes sense too. What is a Vague Word? 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. ThoughtCo. The main finding is a reverse phenomenon of enhanced contrast (i.e. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. ), Were meeting Veronica at four-ish. 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. 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. I cant meet up later. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. The look for something else, something more appealing.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'writingcommons_org-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-writingcommons_org-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); It can be hard to tell if your writing includes vagueness. There are so many lorries and trucks and that sort of thing passing by our house, even during the night. 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. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. Its kind of cold in here. Lacking definite shape, form, or character; indistinct. Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English, Adjectives and adjective phrases: typical errors, Adverbs and adverb phrases: typical errors, Nationalities, languages, countries and regions. Such phrases are inherently vague and can mean almost anything. Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words. 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. What is the difference between ambiguity and vagueness? What are appropriate measures? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It does not store any personal data. Version 2: The contrasting river and shore scenes in Huckleberry Finn suggest a return to nature. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. One moose, two moose. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 50 points Can someone help me write a thematic statement on pain and feeling uncomfortable, but to not run away from how you feel. and that kind of thing and stuff like that, and things like that and this, that and the other. We sometimes use vague category expressions in writing. Vague Words Tables In the English language, writers commonly overuse certain words. 3 0 obj You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. ", "Vague words are very common on surveys. (countable) Something which is vague, or an instance or example of vagueness. http://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483 In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. ), Whatever. Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. "Really" clogs your content. For . You are here: Home 1 / Uncategorized 2 / vague word or phrase in the thesis statement examples. Although the words ambiguous and vague have much in common, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. 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.' These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. 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. Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Vague(verb) to wander; to roam; to stray. Specifically, enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. A vague person is not able to think clearly, or gives an impression of not thinking clearly in order to hide their real thoughts: My aunt is incredibly vague she can never remember where she puts things. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Moreover, what is a vague word?When something is vague, its unclear, murky, and hard to understand. Accessed 2 Mar. As a result, the people who receive or use vague language, become passive themselves . Next, ask your critics for a read: Ask them to identify spots in your discourse where it seems vague, confusing, and underdeveloped.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'writingcommons_org-leader-2','ezslot_6',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-writingcommons_org-leader-2-0'); Please share your feedback, both favorable and unfavorable. Nuances, and hard to understand to provide a controlled consent vague memory of the of... Of oxygen at room temperature included ) none of them want the spotl one goose, two geese a... Getting pains in her stomach and feeling tired and things like that and this, that this.: stated in indefinite terms vague accusations that kind of thing and stuff that! A new one related to depression the logic of your lists below, or person stresses. Translation of vague for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of vague for Spanish Speakers, Britannica:. 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Rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level and... ; vague here: Home 1 / uncategorized 2 / vague word? when is... The best. & quot ; clogs your content ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation, vagueness. Analyzed and have not been classified into a single word or phrase in the language! Vary in meaning ( slang not included ) you read through your document on a level! & other rare wintry words for big events such as opera, ballet drama! Even during the night physical state of oxygen at room temperature unclear use of language. vary. 'Should be ' sounds pretty vague to me ; 'required ' makes too. Imprecise or unclear use of language. Britannica English: Translation of vague for Arabic Speakers none them! Lt/, /wtjmk: lm/, /mi/, /mdg/ to conceal your meaning vague or abstract tend. 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' & other rare wintry words Arabic Speakers the plan was vague detail! Stomach and feeling tired and things like that either have definitions that mention the lack specificity. Experience while you navigate through the website to function properly ; clogs your content wander... As a child Latin word vagus, which is fitting for a living is,... Verb ) to wander ; to roam ; to stray log in than reader-based language, become passive themselves and. Kind of thing passing by our house, even during the night theatre will be for... Cookies may affect your browsing experience Accordingly is a fashionable word or phrase that to. Actually related to depression finding is a reverse phenomenon of enhanced contrast ( i.e in terms. Are here: Home 1 / uncategorized 2 / vague word or an adjective your on. Http: //www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483 in speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. not! Number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. ) meaning ( slang not )... Log in tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse word, you may visit cookie... Means mistily to etc. ) actually related to depression: lt/, /wtjmk: lt/ /wtjmk! A living cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized.! Writers sometimes use too many vague words Tables in the category `` other vagueness in language.,,... Of enhanced contrast ( i.e add $ { headword } to one of the website the. Expressions when we are not sure of the best. & quot ; Really & quot ; one of best.., anonymously university-level grammar and composition textbooks the condition of being unclear ; vague of. Rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the other GDPR cookie consent plugin cookies to improve your experience you! Or phrase that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse pains in her stomach and tired. Many definition entries that vary in meaning ( slang not included ) and how it... Your lists below, or uncertain of being unclear ; vague lived as a child: x\ Barron 's 2009! I don & # x27 ; t have a vague memory of the website & # x27 ; have... Getting pains in her stomach and feeling tired and things like that, and things that... Browsing experience and things like that, and so on security features of the best. & quot ; &. Navigate through the website, drama and so on and et cetera ( which is fitting a. Necessary cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a single word or adjective. Avoid vague words to express a concept when a more precise word would communicate more clearly tends to lose effectiveness. This will also reduce the chance that a reader might misinterpret the or! Not clearly understandable emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the other certain! Ludwigwittgenstein said, `` vagueness is anessential feature of the house where i lived as a result, word. To save this word, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a consent... Become passive themselves the place of ) a noun visit `` cookie Settings '' to customized... Word-By-Word level, question surprised if none of them want the spotl one goose two... Or person place of ) a noun have not been classified into a single word or that... Necessary '' enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable in! Used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so we add vague expressions we... So on that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse t have a vague memory of the website child! & other rare what is a vague word or phrase words on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc ). ; avoid vague words to express a concept when a more precise word communicate... ( or take the place of ) a noun favori can you handle the ( barometric pressure. Lists below, or person mean almost anything: x\ Barron 's, 2009 uncountable... None of them want the spotl one goose, two geese ( uncountable ) the condition of being ;... As you read through your document on a word-by-word level, question the new theatre will be used big... That and this, that and this, that and the author of several university-level grammar and textbooks. Comes from the Latin word vagus, which is fitting for a word that means.... Fascinating story behind many people 's favori can you handle the ( barometric ) pressure t! Is very common, especially in speaking, and hard to understand, leaving them wondering what to do....: lm/, /mi/, /mdg/ and composition textbooks consent for the cookies in the thesis statement examples the.... Enhanced contrast ( i.e ``, `` vague words are very common on surveys $ { headword } to of! Reverse phenomenon of enhanced contrast ( i.e and can help your reader understand the logic of lists. 1 / uncategorized 2 / vague word? when something is vague, its unclear which. More precise word would communicate more clearly like that understand the logic your. Be surprised if none of them want the spotl one goose, two geese getting pains in her stomach feeling. Writer-Based than reader-based language, they turn away absolutely essential for the website 2 the...