a vague assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a vague assertion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a statement that is not very specific or unclear. For example: "His response was a vague assertion that the project would be finished soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The main objections are the justices' own concerns about privacy and a vague assertion that televising proceedings would somehow diminish the court.

The New York Times

This may be a vague assertion, but it does have a kind of accuracy, with Ancient Greek, 18th-century French, 1930s Soviet and 20th century Australian variations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When HD televisions first came to the market, a small but vocal group of luddites complained that they were "too sharp" – a charge usually accompanied by the vague assertion that the make-up in old Hitchcock movies would be rendered visible by higher resolution standards.

The Guardian - Film

They also threw a small bone to the other side by adding the vague assertion that students should "understand how scientists today continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory".

Science Magazine

"However, the conclusion by U.S.A.D.A.'s review board -- whose members were all chosen by U.S.A.D.A.'s chief executive, Terry Madden, and is hardly an independent body to proceed with the adjudication process based on some vague assertion of Tim's alleged involvement with Balco -- further underscores the basic lack of fairness in this entire process.

The New York Times - Sports

This was not some vague assertion; Jalil provided names, details and places.

The New York Times - Magazine

The first, he said, was whether the I.R.A.'s vague assertion that its "strategies and disciplines will not be inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement" meant an end to "targeting, procurement of weapons, so-called punishment beatings and so forth".

The New York Times

It is clear to see in this case that a very specific state of things is required for the truth of the analyzed proposition, and hence the truth of it will be far more doubtful than the truth of the vague assertion with which one began the process (PLA, 179 80).

SEP

It is well established that comparative data provides the most unambiguous evidence for selection, but relatively vague assertion on the type of selection and if the selection is currently acting in a population [6].

Plosone

"If there are simply a bunch of vague assertions of what might happen -- that is not as compelling as if there were a significant set of understandings to be achieved".

The New York Times

Understanding the terminology inherent to the subject of species provides an additional line of defense against falling prey to vague assertions of a species problem.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vague assertion", follow it with clarifying information or evidence to support the statement and avoid ambiguity. If no clarifying information or evidence is available, perhaps consider if it's needed to make an assertion at all.

Common error

Avoid using "a vague assertion" as a primary argument without providing specific details or evidence. Overusing vague assertions weakens your credibility and can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vague assertion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a statement that is unclear, imprecise, or lacks specific details. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct but relatively rare.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vague assertion" is a noun phrase used to describe a statement that lacks clarity or specificity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase typically serves to criticize or question the validity of a claim, highlighting its lack of supporting details. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. When employing "a vague assertion", it's crucial to provide further clarification or evidence to avoid ambiguity and maintain credibility. Consider alternative phrases such as "an unsubstantiated claim" or "an indefinite statement" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indefinite statement

Substitutes "vague" with "indefinite", highlighting the lack of clear boundaries or limits.

an ambiguous claim

Substitutes "vague" with "ambiguous", focusing on the possibility of multiple interpretations.

an unsubstantiated claim

Replaces "vague" with "unsubstantiated", focusing on the lack of evidence rather than clarity.

a fuzzy statement

Replaces "vague" with "fuzzy", suggesting the statement is unclear and difficult to grasp.

an unsupported contention

Replaces "vague" with "unsupported", highlighting the lack of backing evidence for the claim.

a loose statement

Replaces vague with loose, highlighting the lack of rigor.

an imprecise declaration

Replaces "vague" with "imprecise", emphasizing the lack of exactness or accuracy.

an ill-defined position

Replaces "assertion" with "position" and "vague" with "ill-defined", suggesting a lack of clarity in the viewpoint.

a general allegation

Replaces "vague" with "general", focusing on the broad scope of the claim.

a poorly defined argument

Substitutes "assertion" with "argument" and "vague" with "poorly defined", indicating a weakness in the reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "a vague assertion" in a sentence?

You can use "a vague assertion" to describe a statement that lacks clarity or specificity. For example, "The politician's promise was just "a vague assertion" with no concrete details."

What are some alternatives to saying "a vague assertion"?

Alternatives include "an unsubstantiated claim", "an indefinite statement", or "an ambiguous claim". You can choose the most appropriate alternative depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. See more alternatives "here".

Is it better to make "a vague assertion" or a specific claim?

In most cases, it is better to make a specific claim backed by evidence. "A vague assertion" can be used to introduce a topic, but it should be followed by more detailed information.

What does it mean when someone makes "a vague assertion"?

It typically means they are making a statement that is not well-defined or lacks supporting details. It could be intentional, to avoid commitment, or unintentional, due to a lack of information.