Meaning & use
vague phrases
Last updated
Meaning
phraseplural
Groups of words that are unclear or imprecise, so the listener cannot tell exactly what is meant.
Grammar: A countable phrase; use the singular 'vague phrase' for one such expression.
Patterns
- use vague phrases
- a vague phrase like ...
- full of vague phrases
Politicians often hide behind vague phrases like 'further discussions'.
His essay was full of vague phrases but had no real argument.
Try to replace vague phrases such as 'a lot of things' with specific details.
Word forms
| singular | vague phrase |
|---|
Common combinations
- vague phrases like
- Avoid vague phrases like 'some stuff' in formal writing.
- hide behind vague phrases
- The report hides behind vague phrases instead of giving figures.
- full of vague phrases
- Her email was full of vague phrases and no dates.
- use vague phrases
- Speakers use vague phrases when they are not sure of the facts.
Synonyms and how they differ
- weasel words
- Weasel words are vague phrases used on purpose to avoid responsibility; vague phrases may simply be careless.
- platitudes
- Platitudes are dull, overused statements; vague phrases are unclear rather than merely unoriginal.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: vague phrases or vogue phrases?
vague phrases vs vogue phrases
'Vogue' means fashion, so 'vogue phrases' are trendy expressions, not unclear ones.
Practice
Choose the sentence where 'vague phrases' fits best.
Choose one answer.
'Vague phrases' names unclear word groups, as in the contract example. Option 3 uses 'vagaries' (unpredictable changes), and option 4 uses the adverb 'vaguely', not the noun phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “vague phrases”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.