a vague interpretation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vague interpretation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an unclear or ambiguous understanding of a concept, statement, or situation. Example: "The committee's decision was based on a vague interpretation of the rules, leading to confusion among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The first is a vague interpretation of fajitas that focuses on grilled vegetables and makes beef a supporting player.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Vienna Convention of 1961, to which Pakistan and the U.S. are signatories, leaves a massively vague interpretation up for grabs in its Article 37, which states that "administrative and technical staff" of a diplomatic mission also qualify for diplomatic immunity -- i.e., possibly, CIA officers.

Huffington Post

However, 'to forget' is a misleading label, and the vague interpretation that the court gave to the notion of relevance – which is always relative to changing interests – is unsatisfactory.

The Guardian - Tech

Given the federal government's expansive and vague interpretation of the "honest services" statute, surely these appointments, arguably made solely for political reasons, represent violations of "honest services" much like the political machinations of Blagojevich that now likely will send him to jail.

Forbes

Previously, lung-function parameters have been correlated to the concentration of provocative substances [ 7– 9] that as a consequence allows only vague interpretations of deposited dosages.

Clinical Science

Some even evolved out of vague interpretations of a President's priorities, without explicit or written orders from the White House.

The New Yorker

Yes? A: Vaguely.

The New Yorker

During the 20th century luggage transformed from hard encasements to the very vague interpretations of soft-sided suitcases manufactured from polyester.

Forbes

"They were extremely vague interpretations of landscapes," he tells Creators.

Vice

Patient studies investigating the semantic processing of numerical and linguistic material in general reported dissociations in both directions, although comparisons were rather unspecific including only vague interpretations of patterns of impairments.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

A specific mission means that I have to exercise my faith to find the specific instance to act, whereas a vague mission requires some interpretation and investigation to discover and fulfill my task.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vague interpretation", ensure the context clarifies what aspect is vague. Specify if it's due to lack of information, complexity, or ambiguity in the original subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a vague interpretation" without providing context. Saying something is vaguely interpreted without explaining why leaves the audience uninformed. Always clarify the source and nature of the vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vague interpretation" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a particular instance or type of understanding. Ludwig indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is typically used to describe an understanding that lacks clarity or precision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a vague interpretation" serves as a noun phrase to describe an understanding that is unclear or imprecise. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It's often used to express skepticism or uncertainty regarding someone's grasp of a subject, signaling a lack of defined understanding. While present across diverse sources like News & Media and scientific publications, its register remains mostly neutral. To ensure clarity in your writing, it is recommended to always specify the source and nature of the vagueness when employing the phrase "a vague interpretation". Consider using alternatives such as "an ambiguous explanation" or "an imprecise understanding" to better suit your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ambiguous explanation

Focuses on the ambiguity of the explanation itself, rather than the act of interpreting.

an imprecise understanding

Highlights the lack of precision in comprehension.

a poorly defined concept

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the concept being interpreted.

a loose understanding

Suggests a relaxed or flexible, rather than precise, comprehension.

an ill-defined notion

Points to the notion itself being poorly defined, leading to interpretation issues.

a general idea

Indicates a broad and not very detailed comprehension.

a rough idea

Implies a preliminary or approximate understanding.

a hazy notion

Suggests the idea is unclear and difficult to grasp.

a blurred understanding

Emphasizes the lack of sharp definition in the understanding.

an indefinite explanation

Highlights the lack of specific details in the explanation, resulting in a vague comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "a vague interpretation" to describe an understanding or explanation that lacks clarity or precision. For example, "The committee's decision was based on a vague interpretation of the rules."

What are some alternatives to "a vague interpretation"?

Alternatives include "an ambiguous explanation", "an imprecise understanding", or "a poorly defined concept", depending on the context.

Which is more appropriate: "a vague interpretation" or "an ambiguous interpretation"?

Both "a vague interpretation" and "an ambiguous interpretation" can be appropriate. "Vague" suggests a lack of clarity, while "ambiguous" suggests multiple possible meanings. Choose the term that best fits the specific situation.

What does it mean for something to be "open to interpretation"?

When something is "open to interpretation", it means it can be understood or explained in multiple ways. This often happens when the original information is "vague", incomplete, or deliberately suggestive.