vague agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vague agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more parties have a general understanding or consensus, but the details are not clearly defined. Example: "During the meeting, we reached a vague agreement on the project's direction, but we need to clarify the specifics in our next discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Even winning Mr. Abbas's somewhat vague agreement proved difficult.

The New York Times

What he got was a vague agreement that Britain would have to pay out no more than said child would be getting from his or her own government.

Independent

This could undermine already fragile market confidence in the credibility of a legally vague agreement and help to propel the euro over a cliff.

Independent

A previous and vague agreement in 2002 to substantially reverse the loss of species by 2010 failed to achieve that target.

The New York Times

This is the first time in the long search for the particle that different groups, indeed different colliders, are in vague agreement.

The New York Times - Science

A possible way out of the deadlock could be a more vague agreement, one that simply postpones the final status, without promising an independence referendum.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

So much of the culture industry is about vague agreements.

The Guardian - Books

Trump's national security adviser, former U.N. ambassador John Bolton, was critical in the past of what he considered vague agreements.

The Washington Post

That meeting is meant to come up with a successor to the Kyoto protocol of 1997, a treaty on cutting carbon emissions that Congress never ratified.Securing vague agreements will be the easy part.

The Economist

Pyongyang and Washington have repeatedly accused each other of failing to honour the vague agreements about denuclearisation they made at their landmark summit in Singapore in June.

BBC

Vague agreements or no agreements at all about the tasks of every person involved lead to inefficiencies and a failure to implement sufficiently [ 28].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vague agreement" when discussing preliminary discussions or informal arrangements where details are not yet finalized, but clearly signal that further clarification is needed.

Common error

Don't rely on a "vague agreement" as a final and binding commitment. Always follow up with a detailed written document that clarifies all terms and conditions to avoid misunderstandings and legal complications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague agreement" functions as a noun phrase, where 'vague' modifies 'agreement'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and signifies an agreement lacking specific details or clarity. Examples show its use in describing international treaties, business deals, and political negotiations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vague agreement" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an agreement lacking specific details. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in news, business, and scientific contexts to denote uncertainty or a lack of clarity. While the phrase is acceptable, it’s best to avoid vagueness in formal contracts. The term appears most frequently in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. When precision is key, consider alternatives such as "ambiguous agreement" or "imprecise agreement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambiguous agreement

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

imprecise agreement

Substitutes "vague" with "imprecise", highlighting a lack of specific details.

unclear agreement

Uses "unclear" instead of "vague", focusing on the lack of clarity in the agreement.

ill-defined agreement

Replaces "vague" with "ill-defined", stressing that the agreement's terms are not well established.

nebulous agreement

Substitutes "vague" with "nebulous", implying a cloudy or indistinct nature of the agreement.

loose agreement

Uses "loose" instead of "vague", suggesting a lack of strictness or precision in the agreement.

general understanding

Replaces "agreement" with "understanding", indicating a less formal and more flexible arrangement.

tenuous accord

Substitutes both words for alternatives, conveying fragility and a lack of solid foundation.

preliminary consensus

Highlights the early stage and potential incompleteness of the agreement.

broad understanding

Uses "broad" to describe an agreement with wide scope but lacking in specific details.

FAQs

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

You can use "vague agreement" to describe a situation where parties have a general understanding, but the specifics are not well-defined. For example, "The negotiations ended with a "vague agreement" to continue discussions next month".

What are some alternatives to "vague agreement"?

Alternatives include "ambiguous agreement", "imprecise agreement", or "unclear agreement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes an agreement "vague"?

An agreement is considered "vague" when its terms are not clearly defined, leaving room for multiple interpretations and potential disputes. This often involves missing details or ambiguous language.

Is it safe to rely on a "vague agreement" in business?

Relying on a "vague agreement" in business is risky. It's best to formalize the understanding with a detailed contract to avoid misunderstandings and legal issues. Consulting with a legal professional is advisable.