a rather hazy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather hazy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unclear, vague, or not well-defined. Example: "The details of the plan were a rather hazy concept, leaving everyone confused about the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Later that night she feels peculiar - after a rather hazy day.

The New Yorker

About 700 years after Ge Hong, the practice of inoculation against smallpox grew out of a rather hazy background.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Below is a rather hazy shot of Snoop Dogg, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and his old friend Sean Parker (played by Timberlake in the movie).

The New York Times

"A Porsche, a Bentley and a night of Snakebite in Camden have all taken me out," recalls a rather hazy Robin Baker.

The Guardian - Sport

Admittedly still a rather hazy picture, although one aspect is glaringly clear.

Forbes

However, Pope[15] argued that "the dividing line between those species with the so-called tridentate or hembeli jaw and those with the quadridentate or stellatus kind of mandible is sometimes a rather hazy one".

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Reykjavik was full of diplomats again last week, for the announcement of a new, rather hazy arrangement whereby, as the Times put it, "Russia will for the first time become an equal partner at the table for discussions and actions with the nineteen NATO members on a variety of issues".

The New Yorker

Theresa also insisted she wanted a more equal country, but was rather hazy on the details of how she was going to achieve this, veering from one moment sounding like an old-fashioned Labour leader by advocating more state intervention to somewhere to the right of Farage with her anti-immigrant rhetoric.

The Guardian

A long suffering partner with a flexible employer is presumably part of the funders' rather hazy picture of family life for academics.

The Guardian

Woodrow Wilson's early statements pertaining to the peace aims were rather hazy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It all sounds rather hazy, but Dr. Levin also concluded that disadvantaged children were being harmed rather than helped by a slowed-down, repetitious remedial curriculum.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rather hazy" to describe situations, memories, or concepts that lack clarity or detail. It adds a touch of understatement, suggesting a degree of uncertainty without being overly critical.

Common error

While "a rather hazy" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to convey specific nuances instead of relying on this somewhat vague phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather hazy" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its quality. It suggests a lack of clarity or precision. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a rather hazy" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a lack of clarity or precision. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's more common in news and general writing than in formal academic contexts. Alternatives like "somewhat indistinct" or "fairly vague" may be preferable in more formal settings. Remember to use this phrase to soften statements when expressing uncertainty, as exemplified in the sources listed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat indistinct

Replaces "hazy" with "indistinct", focusing on the lack of clarity.

fairly vague

Uses "vague" instead of "hazy", highlighting the lack of precision.

a bit blurred

Emphasizes the lack of sharpness or definition.

quite obscure

Highlights the hidden or unclear nature of something.

rather ambiguous

Focuses on the multiple possible interpretations.

somewhat unclear

A direct synonym, replacing "hazy" with "unclear".

slightly indefinite

Replaces "hazy" with "indefinite", indicating a lack of specific limits.

a little nebulous

Uses "nebulous" to suggest a vague, cloud-like quality.

pretty ill-defined

Emphasizes the lack of clear boundaries or definition.

partially obscure

Highlights that only a part of something lacks clarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rather hazy" to describe something that lacks clarity or is not well-defined, such as "The details of the plan were "a rather hazy" concept."

What's a good alternative to "a rather hazy"?

Alternatives include "somewhat indistinct", "fairly vague", or "a bit blurred" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a rather hazy" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a rather hazy" may sound too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more precise language if possible.

What's the difference between "a rather hazy" and "a little hazy"?

"A rather hazy" implies a slightly greater degree of unclearness or vagueness compared to "a little hazy". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.