statement was vague

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "statement was vague" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a statement that lacks clarity or precision. Example: "The committee's decision was based on a statement that was vague and open to interpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But his statement was vague.

The Economist

Mr. Kudrin's statement was vague about the details.

The New York Times

The Long Island Pine Barrens Society and the North Fork Environmental Council, which brought the lawsuit against the town and Traditional Links, said the environmental impact statement was vague and fell far short of legal requirements.

The New York Times

The statement was vague on how much financial aid they would send to the rebels, but said there was an agreement to provide a "temporary financial mechanism" that "could provide a method for the interim national council and international community to manage revenue to assist with short-term financial requirements and structural needs in Libya".

The New York Times

The statement was vague on the number of cars the president owns, saying two were bought from his savings, others supplied to him by the federal government in his capacity as former head of state and the rest donated to him by well-wishers after his Jeep was damaged in a Boko Haram bomb attack on his convoy in July 2014.

The Guardian

As you can see, unlike last time where the statement was vague, AT&T is clearly stating here that it had nothing to do with the Google Voice rejection.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Faith No More's new Twitter account came to life on 29 May, adorned with a photo of Patton's face and a mighty coy tease: Although their statement is vague, it's hard to imagine Faith No More are alluding to anything other than new music.

The Guardian - Music

Aizawa said he could not say whether Obokata still believed in the STAP phenomenon, and her statement is vague on that point.

Science Magazine

That statement is vague on purpose – it gives Apple the ability to make judgement calls on individual apps, without having to commit to a hard rule in terms of when the app was last updated.

TechCrunch

Ladar's official statement is vague, but you can hear him clench his teeth as he writes, "I wish that I could legally share with you the events that led to my decision.

Vice

The statement is vague and implies a random spatial distribution of KC dendrites in the main calyx.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "statement was vague", follow it with specific examples of what made the statement unclear to enhance understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "the statement was vague" without providing context or examples. This offers little value to the reader. Always clarify how the statement was vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "statement was vague" primarily functions as a descriptor, attributing a quality of unclearness or lack of specificity to a particular statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. Examples show this across contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "statement was vague" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate a lack of clarity or precision in a statement. While not very common, its usage is consistent across different contexts, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms this. To improve clarity, follow the statement with specific examples of the vagueness. Alternatives include "statement lacked clarity" or "statement was unclear".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

statement lacked clarity

Replaces "vague" with a more direct expression of lacking clarity; noun-based.

statement was unclear

Uses "unclear" as a synonym for "vague"; straightforward substitution.

statement was ambiguous

Employs "ambiguous" highlighting the multiple interpretations.

statement was imprecise

Uses "imprecise" to denote a lack of exactness or accuracy.

statement was nebulous

Replaces "vague" with "nebulous" suggesting a cloud-like lack of form or detail.

statement was indefinite

Uses "indefinite" to imply a lack of specific limits or details.

statement was lacking detail

Directly indicates absence of sufficient detail.

statement offered little clarity

Shifts the focus to the offering, or lack thereof, of clarity.

statement was couched in generalities

Highlights the use of broad and non-specific terms.

statement left room for interpretation

Focuses on the ambiguity allowing multiple understandings.

FAQs

What does it mean when a statement is described as vague?

When a statement is described as "statement was vague", it means that the statement lacks clarity, precision, or detail, making it difficult to understand or interpret with certainty. It may be open to multiple interpretations.

How to use "statement was vague" in a sentence?

You can use "statement was vague" to describe anything from political announcements to scientific claims that lack specific details. For example, "The politician's statement was vague on the specifics of the proposed tax cuts."

What can I say instead of "statement was vague"?

You can use alternatives like "statement lacked clarity", "statement was unclear", or "statement was ambiguous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "statement was vague" or "statement lacked precision"?

Both "statement was vague" and "statement lacked precision" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Statement was vague" suggests a general lack of clarity, while "statement lacked precision" implies a lack of exactness or specificity. The better choice depends on the specific context.