as vague as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as vague as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks clarity or precision, often followed by a comparison to something notoriously unclear. Example: "His explanation was as vague as a politician's promise, leaving everyone confused about the actual plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Now the moon was directly above them, a nimbus floating in the fog, as vague as a coin at the bottom of a well.

The New Yorker

But while the chatter about the exchange coming to Westchester has been intense, the details have proven as vague as a Halliburton earnings release.

The New York Times

As much as Mr. Alaia enjoys paradox, and is frequently as vague as a child, his clothes have always expressed an exceptional clarity.

The New York Times - Style

Until now, Facebook users were unaware when and how they were exploited for advertising, and they may not have realized that a click on something as vague as a like button could be used to enrich Facebook, the company.

The New York Times - Tech

Some non-New Yorkers' knowledge of the city's layout is just as vague as a New Yorker's knowledge of the rest of the country, at least as portrayed in the famous Saul Steinberg drawing that depicts everything between 10th Avenue and Asia as just a narrow band on the horizon.

The New York Times

Today, alongside its classification work, the BBFC continues to ban films outright, on grounds as vague as a potential to "cause harm to public morals" or as specific as the depiction of female ejaculation, face-sitting and other acts associated with female sexual pleasure.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Jon Stewart said last night that Mr. Romney is as vague as "an HBO season finale".

The New York Times

For many years, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies spied on him, acting on suspicions as disturbing as a tip that he had been a Russian spy in Berlin; as vague as an unease with his support of civil rights and pacifist and socialist causes; and as goofy as claims that he was working on a death ray or that he was heading a Communist conspiracy to take over Hollywood.

The New York Times - Science

Rather than pursue a career in something as vague as "management in a large corporation", I'm looking at specific careers now.

The Guardian - Money

With words as vague as these, truth is less a casualty than an irrelevancy.

The New York Times

What amount of liquid is the recipe calling for? A. A wineglassful is not as vague as it sounds; it is an actual unit of volume, more commonly used in Britain than in the United States.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as vague as a", ensure the comparison is easily understood by your audience and adds impact to your description. For example, "as vague as a politician's promise".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "as vague as a" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can make your writing seem repetitive and uninspired. Vary your descriptive language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as vague as a" serves as a comparative adjective phrase, used to emphasize the lack of clarity or precision of something by drawing a comparison. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. The comparison amplifies the sense of ambiguity or indistinctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as vague as a" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to emphasize a lack of clarity or precision. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to express criticism or highlight deficiencies. When writing, ensure the comparison following "as vague as a" is relatable and impactful. While generally acceptable, overuse can lead to repetitive writing. Consider related alternatives such as "as unclear as a" or "as imprecise as a" to add variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as unclear as a

Simple substitution of "vague" with "unclear", directly stating a lack of clarity.

as imprecise as a

Replaces "vague" with "imprecise", focusing on lack of exactness rather than clarity.

as ill-defined as a

Substitutes "vague" with "ill-defined", emphasizing the lack of a clear boundary or definition.

as undefined as a

Replaces "vague" with "undefined", emphasizing the absence of a specific meaning or scope.

as indefinite as a

Replaces "vague" with "indefinite", focusing on the lack of specific limits or boundaries.

as nebulous as a

Replaces "vague" with "nebulous", suggesting a hazy or indistinct quality.

as ambiguous as a

Uses "ambiguous" instead of "vague", highlighting the potential for multiple interpretations.

as obscure as a

Uses "obscure" instead of "vague", suggesting that the information is hidden or not easily understood.

as blurred as a

Uses "blurred" instead of "vague", creating a visual metaphor for lack of clarity.

as indistinct as a

Substitutes "vague" with "indistinct", emphasizing a lack of clear separation or definition.

FAQs

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

Use "as vague as a" to compare something lacking clarity to a commonly known example of vagueness. For instance, "His explanation was "as vague as a" dream, making it hard to understand what he meant."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "as unclear as a", "as imprecise as a", or "as ambiguous as a", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as vague as a"?

Yes, "as vague as a" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize the lack of clarity in something by comparing it to something else known for its vagueness.

What makes "as vague as a" different from "as clear as a"?

"As vague as a" emphasizes a lack of clarity or precision, while "as clear as a" emphasizes the opposite—something that is easily understood and unambiguous. They are antonyms used for contrasting descriptions.