a lot of vagueness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot of vagueness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the unclear or ambiguous nature of something, such as a statement, instruction, or concept. Example: "The report was criticized for its lack of clarity, as it contained a lot of vagueness regarding the project's objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is a lot of vagueness and randomness in the knowledge description and inference mechanism.

Journal of Transportation Systems Engineering and Information Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It is a very disturbing mood with a lot of unnecessary uncertainty and vagueness," said Makram Muhammad Ahmed, a columnist for Al Ahram.

The New York Times

The complexities of Europe's Right to be Forgotten law is causing a lot of confusion due to the vagueness and ambiguity of recent rulings, its impact on the freedom of expression, its interaction with the right to privacy, and concerns about whether it would decrease the quality of the Internet through censorship and a "rewriting of history".

Huffington Post

But here at the annual gathering of the National Business Travel Association, where corporate travel managers network for three days with travel suppliers and other industry representatives, there is a lot of talk about travel security -- and scant evidence of vagueness.

The New York Times

The vagueness I mentioned earlier involves a lot of subconscious data that I accumulated over time.

Vice

Ron has a lot of his late father's easygoing, nonhostile likeability, without the vagueness and the offputting (to me, though I know many found it charming) heh-heh inanity.

The New Yorker

"There was a narrative vagueness and the sense of a purposeful incompletion in a lot of the stories," said Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker's fiction editor.

The New York Times - Books

The vagueness of some of the specs and the very un-Dell phrasing of a lot of this stuff makes me think this is an outside contractor pitching Dell with some design ideas.

TechCrunch

This vagueness is the problem with situating the recent racist violence as a product of "incivility".

Vice

The idea of trying animals seems to have arisen from a certain vagueness in ecclesiastical philosophy.

Vice

Romney seems to be forever on a journey out of vagueness, an endless search for identity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lot of vagueness", ensure the context clearly indicates what is vague and why. Providing specific examples of the vagueness can strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a lot of vagueness" as a general critique without specifying the source or nature of the vagueness. Be precise in identifying what lacks clarity to make your critique more constructive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of vagueness" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a quality or state of being unclear or imprecise. Ludwig indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase, suggesting its grammatical validity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lot of vagueness" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe situations lacking clarity and precision. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in various sources, including science and news media, as well as formal contexts. To enhance clarity in writing, specify what exactly is vague and why. Alternatives such as "considerable ambiguity" or "substantial uncertainty" can offer nuanced variations. When using this phrase remember that overusing it without context will weaken your argument. Be precise in identifying what lacks clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable ambiguity

Emphasizes the presence of multiple possible interpretations.

substantial uncertainty

Highlights the lack of sureness or definiteness.

significant ambiguity

Indicates a notable degree of being open to more than one interpretation.

marked imprecision

Points out a noticeable lack of exactness or accuracy.

considerable indefiniteness

Focuses on the lack of clear boundaries or limits.

extensive ambiguity

Highlights a broad scope of unclear meaning.

noticeable lack of clarity

Directly states the absence of clearness or lucidity.

appreciable fuzziness

Emphasizes the blurred or indistinct nature.

pronounced inexactness

Indicates a clear and distinct absence of precision.

meaning is obscured

The clarity has been lost or is vague. A more dramatic way to express this idea.

FAQs

How can I use "a lot of vagueness" in a sentence?

You can use "a lot of vagueness" to describe situations where there is a significant lack of clarity or precision. For example, "The contract contained "a lot of vagueness" regarding payment terms".

What are some alternatives to "a lot of vagueness"?

Alternatives include "considerable ambiguity", "substantial uncertainty", or "significant ambiguity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a lot of vagueness" or "much vagueness"?

"A lot of vagueness" is more common in informal contexts, while "much vagueness" might be preferred in more formal writing. Both are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the desired tone.

What does it mean when something has "a lot of vagueness"?

It means that the subject in question lacks clear definition, detail, or precision. This can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.