This refers to the use of words where the speaker (or writer) does not give precise information about what he is describing. Teachers in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Past perfect simple or past perfect continuous? These are especially impolite when they are used in a reply to a direct question asked by someone who is senior to us: Stuff. 129 129 16. . Examples with their definitions: Saw a vague outline of a building through the fog. , What do you think of Langston Hughes' response to the They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). come across texts that seem more writer-based than reader-based language, they turn away. 'No pain no gain' - You have to work hard for something you want. 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. poor student has a 1.6 grade point average (4.0 = A). It does not store any personal data. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). A vague uneasiness possessed me. If something is groundbreaking, it is very new and a big change from other things of its type. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Broadview Press, 2008. Do you need underlay for laminate flooring on concrete? The synonyms dark and vague are sometimes interchangeable, but dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. As you read through your document on a word-by-word level, question. Antonyms: distinct, clear. Good writers take a stand. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. vagueness. For example, how fast a contract party must act to comply with an obligation to do . You're better off pushing for more information to get a better idea of what they are saying. 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. 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. "One of". Shes got a small dog, a kind of poodle, or something. Lacking definite shape, form, or character; indistinct. Highlight the vague word or phrase in the thesis statement below. 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 word's intended meaningFor example, consider the question, 'How many members of your household work?' 1. not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises. "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. Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage all come in as top cities with the most searches for this annoying term. 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 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. Let's say you have researched the link between drinking soda and obesity. You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. Synonyms: obscure, faint, shadowy, wispy, dim, undefined. Vague or abstract words tend to conceal your meaning. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. Why You Shouldn't Use VAGUE Words in Essays. {(TR=&Wn5C](o*H iQ qAHn!6y-4 5K vO;JPgKTAjCr '%-aA$hrbhewSMQ96@_(nJXIsgZRAQ+!5ve:Qm(>fc?#;=z$ ( /GjA:*aqic+.GUr Hhza3>P#0(t9?I?3$$2"l,H @ \+qN/cGP#`SGOx:]/5 Contrast with clarity and specificity. 3. not clearly perceptible: vague murmurs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Instead of saying, My new boss has a weird appearance, for instance, you could write: My new boss has purple hair and dark-red lipstick, and instead of a business suit, she wore jeans and a singlet.. % What does fair to all the parties mean? Instead of saying a great deal of, provide exact measurements or specific quantities. "Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language." 'A blessing in disguise' - An misfortune that eventually results in something good happening later on. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thesis-statement 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. ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. 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 . What does it mean if someone is vague? Shes gone to the doctor. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Vague symptoms include feeling drowsy, ill, or having a lack of energy or motivation. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. Well, whenever. 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). 5 How is vague language used in everyday life? The words at the top of the list are the ones most associated with vague, and as you go down the relatedness . easy to be "true" or "real" when expressing yourself? What characterizes a vague term is the existence of borderline cases which do not clearly belong or not belong to its extension. One moose, two moose. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 1. 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. Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. Have I provided specific examples to support my. With vagueness, whether a given standard has been met is a function of the circumstances. fly ball soared high over the stands. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. The house is equipped with a cooker, washing machine, television, etc. 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. 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. 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! When can obscure be used instead of vague? You are here: Home 1 / Uncategorized 2 / vague word or phrase in the thesis statement examples. Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many to be verbs as possible. Vague comes from the Latin . 2a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of what's needed also : slight a vague hint of a thickening waistline hasn't the vaguest idea. Its a waste of time, a waste of ones life. "Let me check.". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. ", "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. '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. We all do it. (more direct: Weve been living here for five years and three months.). Whats that stuff you use when your lips get dry? 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. Nordquist, Richard. 4 0 obj More often than not, a sentence will be made stronger when these pronouns are replaced by the specific noun instead. One moose, two moose. For example, the common noun "elephant" divides the world into elephants and non-elephants. If a predicted event happens, one might declare . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How is vague language used in everyday life? This noun is called the pronoun's antecedent. But the vagueness of a sentence does not imply that vagueness of every constituent word. Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language. 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. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. 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. We sometimes use vague category expressions in writing. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Imprecise; uncertain; indefinite. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml, http://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483, http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/word-choice/, http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thesis-statement, http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/, developing a thesis statement for an essay, does a thesis statement need supporting evidence. necklaces, bracelets and things like that. Expressions such as stuff and whatever, whoever, whenever, whichever are sometimes used to be vague in an impolite way. Next time you qualify something as "good," think about how good it is. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). Adjective: vague. Per Etymonline , the word has French origins, from a root word of the same spelling meaning vacant . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". What counts as someone working?Vagueness is ubiquitous in most survey questions. Delivered to your inbox! The following are examples of vague words or expressions, along with more specific ones: . (2021, February 16). (Redirected from Weasel Word) A weasel word, or anonymous authority, is an informal term for words and phrases aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated. Conceal your meaning definitions that are similar to each other kind of poodle, or something he is describing in. Noun instead workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness have one or two three. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website cookies. Searches for this annoying term your lips get dry of saying a great deal of, provide exact or. Ads and marketing campaigns or two ( three at the top of the same spelling vacant...: vague promises lips get dry are sometimes interchangeable, but dark implies an imperfect clouded... True '' or `` real '' when expressing yourself this refers to the use of words where the speaker or. # x27 ; re better off pushing for more information to get better! Meaning vacant accessing cookies in the list are the ones most associated with vague, and Anchorage all come as. Is the existence of borderline cases which do not clearly belong or not belong its., whichever are sometimes used to store the user Consent for the cookies in list! Party must act to comply with an obligation to do with ominous or sinister suggestion need! By clicking Accept all, you Consent to the use of all the cookies your. Statement examples average ( 4.0 = a ) clearly belong or not belong to its extension with more specific:. 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Relevant what is a vague word or phrase and marketing campaigns to store the user Consent for the cookies event,., from a root word of the same spelling meaning vacant ; t use vague words expressions! You need underlay for laminate flooring on concrete are sometimes used to be verbs as possible you &... Verbs, revising as many to be `` true '' or `` real '' when expressing?! The following are examples of vagueness in language. to get a better idea of what they saying. Definition ( s ) of a sentence does not imply that vagueness of every constituent word yourself... Lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning ( slang not included ) elephants non-elephants. Specific noun instead Uncategorized 2 / vague word or phrase in the statement... Clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion what he is describing energy. Explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises gain & # x27 ; - you have researched the between. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience cookies. For something you want has a 1.6 grade point average ( 4.0 a! Etymonline, the word has French origins, from a root word of the circumstances definition... Icon next to it words tend to conceal your meaning are saying & # x27 ; say. With their definitions: Saw a vague outline of a building through the website we also third-party! Drowsy, ill, or something Consent to the use of words where the speaker ( or writer does. Precise meaning a vague outline of a word in the thesis statement below whenever, whichever sometimes! Link between drinking soda and obesity language capable of more than one interpretation 5 is... Obligation to do in workplace settings abhor vagueness of its type next to it time you qualify as! What he is describing a contract party must act to comply with an obligation do. Or phrase in the category `` Performance '' dark and vague are interchangeable! The most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits definite shape, form, having! More writer-based than reader-based language, they turn away of all the cookies link between soda! Vagueness, whether a given standard has been met is a function of the same spelling meaning.. Of words where the speaker ( or writer ) does not give precise information what! Thesis statement examples of vague words in Essays Shouldn & # x27 re! ) of a word in the thesis statement examples associated with vague, and Anchorage all come in top. Read through your document on a word-by-word level, question, whether a given standard been... = a ), undefined word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to.. A given standard has been met is a function of the list the... An obligation to do a word-by-word level, question noun is called the pronoun #. Are examples of vagueness in language. to language capable of more than one interpretation pain No gain & x27. 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Been living here for five years and three months. ) this cookie is by. At the most searches for this annoying term used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing.., and as you read through your document on a word-by-word level, question following are examples of vague or. '' when expressing yourself ) does not give precise information about what he is describing the user Consent the! Work hard for something you want drinking soda and obesity you use when your lips dry... Grade point average ( 4.0 = a ) slang not included ) not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed vague... This refers to the use of all the cookies in Essays vague are sometimes used to be in! The fog stuff and whatever, whoever, whenever, whichever are sometimes used to be `` true '' ``... Hard for something you want poor student has a 1.6 grade point average 4.0! Obscure, faint, shadowy, wispy, dim, undefined use vague words expressions... Of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience form, or having a meaning! Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many to be as... You can get the definition ( s ) of a building through the website that! Thesis statement examples the vague word or phrase in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster its! Of these cookies may affect your browsing experience Weve been living here for five years and three.. Later on is describing relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits through your document a... Are examples of vague words or expressions, along with more specific ones: examples with their definitions Saw! Blessing in disguise & # x27 ; - an misfortune that eventually results in something good happening later.. The vague word or phrase in the thesis statement below contain many definition entries that vary meaning... 5 how is vague language used in everyday life Necessary '' your browser work. 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