a hazy notion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a hazy notion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a vague or unclear idea or concept. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a thought, memory, plan, or understanding. Example: "As I sat in the park, watching the sunset, I tried to grasp onto a hazy notion of what my future might hold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Britishness was a hazy notion here.

The Guardian

But even when "dating" is a hazy notion for sixth-graders, the conversations can feel squirmy and self-conscious.

The New York Times

Despite their close relationship, Bush had only a hazy notion of what role a national security adviser should play.

The New York Times - Books

If you liked electric guitars but hated heavy metal and had even a hazy notion of what Derrida was about, it was a marvellous time.

The Guardian - Books

With such missions, the Special Forces officers are doing what United States troops abroad have regularly done: imprinting images of America on a people who might have only a hazy notion of the nation and its principles.

The New York Times

I had a hazy notion that he was a corporal, or a lance-corporal, but it is made quite clear that Hitler had no command over anyone; and he is referred to throughout as "Private Hitler".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Many government critics seem to accept, without scrutiny, the hazy notion that any local civilian who works for British forces during a foreign battle is consequently entitled to live in the UK after the fact.

Vice

Mr. Higgins's performance registers the notion of a man who papered over his hazy notions of his own identity with borrowed gestures but it seldom conveys the commanding spirit and drive of a champion who mesmerized fans.

The New York Times

The imminent arrival of his third child draws up hazy notions of his stepmother miscarriaging, while his own mother died in childbirth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

With the haziest notion of what an essay or even a paragraph might look like, Tony enrolled in college, won a scholarship to university, graduated with a first and got a job with Kids Company, mentoring youngsters who reminded him of his old self.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To many Arab minds, it has blurred distinctions between such territorial conflicts and the hazier notion of striking "crusaders" and Muslim "collaborators" elsewhere.More police work, combined with bigger efforts by Muslims themselves, may defeat the jihadis in the long run.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hazy notion", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what the notion pertains to, even if the specifics are unclear.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple vague terms; if you describe something as "a hazy notion", follow it up with concrete examples to prevent the description from becoming meaningless.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a hazy notion" is to act as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence, denoting something vague or ill-defined. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hazy notion" is a valid and useful phrase for expressing a vague or unclear idea. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in various writing contexts. While it is not exceedingly common, it appears across reputable news outlets, books and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure the surrounding text provides sufficient context to convey the intended meaning, preventing excessive ambiguity. Consider alternative expressions such as "a vague idea" or "an unclear concept" to tailor the expression precisely to the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vague idea

Replaces "hazy notion" with a more common synonym for "hazy" and "notion."

an unclear concept

Substitutes "hazy" with "unclear" and "notion" with "concept", both near synonyms.

a blurred understanding

Uses "blurred" to represent the lack of clarity and "understanding" in place of "notion."

a faint impression

Emphasizes the weak or indistinct nature of the idea.

a rough idea

Indicates an approximate or preliminary understanding.

an imprecise understanding

Highlights the lack of precision or detail in the understanding.

a nebulous concept

Uses the more formal "nebulous" to describe the lack of defined form or clarity.

a sketchy idea

Suggests that the idea is incomplete or lacking detail.

an ill-defined concept

Directly states that the concept is not well-defined or clear.

a loose grasp

Emphasizes the tenuous hold on the idea or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "a hazy notion" in a sentence?

You can use "a hazy notion" to describe something that is unclear, vague, or not fully formed. For example: "He had "a hazy notion" of what he wanted to do with his life."

What are some alternatives to "a hazy notion"?

Alternatives include "a vague idea", "an unclear concept", or "a blurred understanding". These phrases all convey a lack of clarity or precision.

Is it better to use "a hazy notion" or "a clear idea"?

It depends on the context. Use "a hazy notion" when you want to emphasize the lack of clarity or definition. Use "a clear idea" when something is well-defined and understood.

What is the difference between "a hazy notion" and "a misconception"?

"A hazy notion" implies a lack of clarity or understanding, while "a misconception" implies a false or incorrect understanding. A misconception is a wrong idea, whereas "a hazy notion" is simply not clear.