hazy notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hazy notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unclear or vague idea or understanding about something. Example: "She had a hazy notion of what the project entailed, but she needed more information to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Britishness was a hazy notion here.

The Guardian

But even when "dating" is a hazy notion for sixth-graders, the conversations can feel squirmy and self-conscious.

The New York Times

Despite their close relationship, Bush had only a hazy notion of what role a national security adviser should play.

The New York Times - Books

If you liked electric guitars but hated heavy metal and had even a hazy notion of what Derrida was about, it was a marvellous time.

The Guardian - Books

With such missions, the Special Forces officers are doing what United States troops abroad have regularly done: imprinting images of America on a people who might have only a hazy notion of the nation and its principles.

The New York Times

I had a hazy notion that he was a corporal, or a lance-corporal, but it is made quite clear that Hitler had no command over anyone; and he is referred to throughout as "Private Hitler".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The imminent arrival of his third child draws up hazy notions of his stepmother miscarriaging, while his own mother died in childbirth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Higgins's performance registers the notion of a man who papered over his hazy notions of his own identity with borrowed gestures but it seldom conveys the commanding spirit and drive of a champion who mesmerized fans.

The New York Times

To many Arab minds, it has blurred distinctions between such territorial conflicts and the hazier notion of striking "crusaders" and Muslim "collaborators" elsewhere.More police work, combined with bigger efforts by Muslims themselves, may defeat the jihadis in the long run.

The Economist

With the haziest notion of what an essay or even a paragraph might look like, Tony enrolled in college, won a scholarship to university, graduated with a first and got a job with Kids Company, mentoring youngsters who reminded him of his old self.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But even this is progress of sorts: before the new co-operative was established, profits were handed out only to male family heads, to divide up as they wished.Turning villagers into shareholders is a big improvement on the hazy "collective" ownership notion prevailing in most of rural China.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hazy notion" when you want to convey that someone has a vague or incomplete understanding of something, but avoid using it in highly formal or technical contexts where more precise language is expected.

Common error

Avoid using "hazy notion" in contexts requiring precision. Instead, opt for terms like "unclear concept" or "ill-defined idea" for better clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hazy notion" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "hazy" modifies the noun "notion". According to Ludwig, it's used to describe an idea or understanding that is unclear, vague, or not fully formed. The Examples illustrate how it is used to express uncertainty or lack of precise knowledge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hazy notion" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe an unclear or vague idea. As Ludwig confirms, it is acceptable for use in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While not highly formal, it's a useful expression to convey a lack of precise understanding, but remember to consider stronger, more specific vocabulary when formality and precision are key. For example consider to use "vague idea" or "unclear concept".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague idea

Replaces "hazy" with "vague", indicating a lack of clarity or precision.

unclear concept

Substitutes "hazy" with "unclear" and "notion" with "concept", both emphasizing a lack of understanding.

fuzzy idea

Uses "fuzzy" as a synonym for "hazy", highlighting a blurred or indistinct understanding.

blurred understanding

Replaces "hazy notion" with a phrase directly indicating a lack of clarity in understanding.

imprecise concept

Replaces "hazy" with "imprecise", suggesting a lack of exactness or accuracy.

ill-defined idea

Emphasizes the lack of clear definition or boundaries of the idea.

nebulous concept

Uses "nebulous" as a more formal synonym for "hazy", suggesting something vague and cloud-like.

tenuous grasp

Shifts from describing the idea itself to describing one's understanding of it as weak or uncertain.

fleeting thought

Suggests the idea is not only unclear but also brief and quickly disappearing.

rough understanding

Indicates a general but not detailed or refined comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "hazy notion" to describe a vague or unclear understanding of something. For example, "He had a "hazy notion" of the company's strategy, but couldn't articulate the details."

What's a more formal alternative to "hazy notion"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "unclear concept" or "ill-defined idea".

Is "hazy notion" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "hazy notion" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Evaluate whether a more precise term would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "hazy notion" and "vague idea"?

While similar, "hazy notion" emphasizes the lack of clarity, while "vague idea" simply indicates a lack of specificity or detail. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.