as vague as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

"as vague as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate a lack of detail or precision in a particular description. For example, "Try to explain the symptoms of your illness as vague as possible in order to keep your records private."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Inoculate your campaign by getting your confessions up front and keeping them as vague as possible.

The Guardian

Levels of air pollution in cities are often kept quiet, and their linkage to diseases and gene mutations made as vague as possible.

The Guardian

The House committee also released memorandums showing that Bristol-Myers and ImClone had discussed making the news release about the F.D.A. rejection as vague as possible.

The New York Times

"It reminds me of the first Viagra commercials, where they wanted to be as vague as possible because they were embarrassed of what the product actually was".

The New Yorker

But while Ms. Schwartz stays as vague as possible in terms of what the audience sees, she is meticulous about what it hears.

The New York Times

Outright secession by Montenegro might compromise one of the West's main policies in the Balkans: to keep the status of Kosovo as vague as possible.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

When can we get rid of them?" Trump responded as vaguely as humanly possible.

The Guardian

Though he told his boss he had "been as protective and vague as possible" to investigators, Watkins drafted a confidential memo saying that "[Vincent] Foster regularly informed me that the First Lady was concerned and desired action -- the action desired was the firing of the Travel Office staff".

The New York Times

If you are asked for an explanation, be as brief and vague as possible.

WikiHow

The novelist and the older Pi are eager to impose interpretations on the tale of the boy and the beast, but also committed to keeping those interpretations as vague and general as possible.

The New York Times

It can be hazy as to where exactly "inventiveness" starts and an "abstract idea" stops, but the courts may do well to take the advice of these tech giants a strike down infringement lawsuits based on vague patents as early as possible.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Utilize vague language when you want to imply, rather than explicitly state, a certain message. This allows the audience to draw their own conclusions, which can be more persuasive than direct declarations.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "as vague as possible" as an excuse for lack of clarity in situations where precision is expected. In fields like law, science, or medicine, being deliberately vague can lead to misunderstandings, errors, or even legal repercussions. Tailor the level of specificity to the situation's requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as vague as possible" typically functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action is performed or a statement is made. It indicates the extent to which something lacks clarity or detail. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as vague as possible" is a versatile phrase used to describe intentional ambiguity in communication. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news and media, alongside other contexts, indicate its acceptance in general language. While useful in certain situations, remember to be mindful to not overuse "as vague as possible" as it can easily reduce trust and clarity. When aiming for ambiguity, it may be useful to explore alternative phrasings such as "as ambiguous as one can be" or "to obscure the specifics" to make a point with more elegance or more accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as ambiguous as one can be

This alternative emphasizes intentional ambiguity by using the phrase "as one can be", highlighting an active effort to be unclear.

as undefined as it gets

This alternative focuses on the lack of definition, suggesting that the subject is extremely unclear.

in an indefinite manner

This shifts the focus to the manner of expression, highlighting that the communication lacks specific boundaries or details.

to obscure the specifics

This alternative directly implies an intention to hide or make the specific details less clear.

to generalize extensively

This suggests using broad statements to avoid precise details, thus being vague.

to avoid specificity

This focuses on the act of intentionally steering clear of specific details.

to remain noncommittal

This suggests avoiding firm statements or commitments to keep options open and information broad.

to leave it open to interpretation

This emphasizes that the details are left undefined so that others can interpret them in multiple ways.

to keep things nebulous

This uses "nebulous" to describe something hazy and undefined, highlighting the lack of clarity.

to skirt the issue

This means to avoid addressing a topic directly, resulting in a lack of clear information.

FAQs

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

You can use "as vague as possible" when describing how something is communicated or presented, like "The politician's statement was "as vague as possible" to avoid alienating any voters."

What does it mean to be "as vague as possible"?

Being "as vague as possible" means providing information that lacks specific details or clarity, often intentionally. It's about being indefinite and open to multiple interpretations.

When is it appropriate to be "as vague as possible"?

It can be appropriate in situations where you want to avoid commitment, protect sensitive information, or leave room for negotiation. However, be cautious, as excessive vagueness can damage trust and clarity.

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

Alternatives include "as ambiguous as one can be", "to obscure the specifics", or "to avoid specificity", depending on the desired nuance and context.