slightly vague

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly vague" is a correct phrase which can be used in written English.
For example, you could write: "The instructions for completing the task were slightly vague."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Asked how he had become interested in architecture, Mr. Gordeev was slightly vague.

The New York Times - Arts

"Needs to show more" was his fair if slightly vague assessment of the Brazilian's efforts so far.

Independent

It is equally important for the system to reproduce itself by keeping some of these codes slightly vague.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite sometimes talking this slightly vague sort of nonsense, when you get past the hair and the voice, James Blunt is actually a very nice man indeed.

Independent

If the wish list is slightly vague, the problem itself is amorphous and difficult to name: a crisis of values and institutions, society and economy, vision and leadership.

The Guardian

His slightly vague mission statement is a far cry from the message of the trap that's come from Atlanta in recent years.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Metroid: The Other M is slotted in for a slightly more vague Q3 arrival, while Montser Hunter Tri, the latest title in the hugely popular creature battling RPG comes to Wii on April 23.

The Guardian - Tech

Only slightly less vague and woolly is a commitment that signatories will "put in place clear policies regarding identity and the misuse of automated bots" on the signatories' services, and "enforce these policies within the EU".

TechCrunch

(His actual statement was slightly more vague than what many people recall. But he did use the phrase "red line" and it did appear that Syria crossed it on Aug. 21, when some 1,400 Syrians died in Damascus suburbs as a result of chemical bombs).

Los Angeles Times

The line is lifted from a Mike Jones ft. Hurricane Chris' "Drop & Gimme 50", which is slightly less vague in its intentions, featuring lines like "Now put yo right hand in the air, put the left one in yo underwear, now tickle dat cat, tickle dat cat".

Vice

The skin lesions were characterized by being round, erythematous, and macular with slightly raised vague borders and a slight hypopigmentation in some lesions.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly vague" when you want to indicate that something is not entirely clear, but not so unclear as to be completely incomprehensible or misleading. It's useful for softening criticism or suggesting a minor deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly vague" repeatedly in your writing, as it can become monotonous. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "somewhat ambiguous" or "a little undefined" to keep your writing engaging and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly vague" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically used to qualify nouns or noun phrases. It indicates a mild degree of imprecision or lack of clarity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly vague" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate a mild degree of imprecision or lack of clarity, often employed to soften criticism or express a nuanced assessment. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications, demonstrating its versatility. While generally neutral in tone, it is crucial to avoid overusing the phrase and to vary your language with synonyms to maintain engaging and precise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly nebulous

Replaces "vague" with "nebulous", suggesting something cloud-like or lacking clear form.

Slightly ambiguous

Substitutes "vague" with "ambiguous", highlighting the possibility of multiple interpretations.

Somewhat vague

Replaces "slightly" with "somewhat", indicating a similar but subtly different degree of vagueness.

A little vague

Replaces "slightly" with "a little", offering a more informal tone.

A bit vague

Similar to "a little vague" but even more informal.

Marginally imprecise

Replaces both words, indicating a small degree of inaccuracy.

Faintly indistinct

Uses "faintly" and "indistinct" to convey a weaker and less clear impression.

Rather undefined

Suggests a lack of clear boundaries or characteristics.

Kind of hazy

Offers an informal way to describe a lack of clarity, using "hazy".

Somewhat ill-defined

Suggests that the boundaries are not clearly marked.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly vague" to describe something that lacks complete clarity or precision. For example, "The instructions were "slightly vague", so I had to make some assumptions."

What are some alternatives to saying "slightly vague"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat ambiguous", "a little undefined", or "marginally imprecise" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slightly vague" or "very vague"?

The choice depends on the degree of ambiguity you want to express. "Slightly vague" indicates a minor lack of clarity, while "very vague" suggests a significant lack of clarity. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What is the difference between "slightly vague" and "slightly unclear"?

While similar, "slightly vague" implies a lack of distinctness or precision, whereas "slightly unclear" suggests a difficulty in understanding. The best choice depends on whether the issue is with the definition or the comprehension of something.