more vague than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more vague than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the level of vagueness between two subjects or statements. Example: "The instructions provided were more vague than I expected, leaving me confused about the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It is so much more vague than that.

The New York Times - Arts

And Kanojia's statement in response to the ruling was decidedly more vague than his earlier comments.

The New Yorker

The new book is more vague than was "Terror and Consent" about the military obstetrics of the market state.

The New York Times - Books

Labour's plans are "considerably more vague" than the Tories, the think tank said, concluding that an Ed Miliband government may only need to make £1 billion of cuts.

Independent

While this phrase is widely used in the US, and is gaining popularity on these shores, it is even more vague than BAME and I have many reservations about its usefulness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Marco is then given to a blind kung fu master, Hundred Eyes (Tom Wu), for a reason even more vague than why Mr Miyagi forces Daniel-san to wax on, wax off.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The idea of reshaping the kingdom's religious and tribal form of monarchy remains tentative, more vague public discussion than concrete plan.

The New York Times

The concepts of personhood and identity are today more vague and intangible than ever".

Vice

Indeed the lessons learned from Copenhagen have made this new deal more vague and aspirational than it is concrete and binding.

Vice

It's more vague and potentially broad than that.

The New York Times

The whole 30-second teaser is even more infuriatingly vague than the last infuriatingly vague teaser Showtime dropped on us a couple months back.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the clarity of two concepts, use "more vague than" to emphasize that one lacks specific detail or precision in comparison to the other. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

While "more vague than" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more precise language in formal writing to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "less specific than" or "more ambiguous than" may be preferable depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more vague than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to compare the relative levels of ambiguity or lack of specificity between two subjects or concepts. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more vague than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative phrase that serves to highlight differences in clarity and precision. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that it frequently appears in news and media outlets, and to a lesser extent, in academic writing. While it's broadly acceptable, formal contexts may benefit from more specific alternatives like "less specific than" or "more ambiguous than", based on the intended meaning. The AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides numerous examples across diverse sources to illustrate its practical application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more nebulous than

Replaces "vague" with "nebulous", emphasizing a lack of defined form or content.

more imprecise than

Substitutes "vague" with "imprecise", highlighting a lack of exactness or accuracy.

more ambiguous than

Replaces "vague" with "ambiguous", focusing on the potential for multiple interpretations.

less clear than

Offers a direct antonym comparison, emphasizing a deficiency in clarity.

more obscure than

Replaces "vague" with "obscure", suggesting a hidden or less obvious meaning.

more ill-defined than

Uses "ill-defined" instead of "vague", highlighting a lack of clear boundaries or limits.

more undefined than

Uses "undefined" instead of "vague", highlighting a lack of defined characteristics.

more unspecific than

Replaces "vague" with "unspecific", focusing on a lack of detail or particularity.

more indistinct than

Replaces "vague" with "indistinct", indicating a lack of clear differentiation or definition.

more equivocal than

Substitutes "vague" with "equivocal", emphasizing a deliberate use of ambiguity to avoid commitment.

FAQs

What's a good way to use "more vague than" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politician's promises were "more vague than" his previous statements, leaving voters uncertain about his plans".

What can I say instead of "more vague than"?

Alternatives include "less clear than", "more ambiguous than", or "more imprecise than", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "more vague than" or "less specific than"?

The choice depends on the context. "More vague than" implies a general lack of clarity, while "less specific than" suggests a lack of detailed information.

How does "more vague than" compare to "more obscure than"?

"More vague than" indicates a lack of clarity, while "more obscure than" suggests that something is hidden or not easily understood. They both relate to a lack of understanding, but the reason is different.