vague boundary

USAGE SUMMARY

"vague boundary" is an acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an ill-defined or unclear limit or borderline between two things. For example, "There is a vague boundary between what is considered good taste and what is considered bad taste."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The subsequent I → C conversions showed a vague boundary.

Electrochimica Acta

This results in a vague boundary, but it suffices to identify a movement in which a large number of able philosophers self-consciously participated and to distinguish logical empiricism from other movements.

SEP

There is no vague boundary demarcating Mount Everest on this view; rather, there are many distinct parcels of land, each with a precise border, but our linguistic practices have not enforced a choice of any one of them as the official referent of the name 'Everest' (Mehlberg 1958; Lewis 1986; McGee 1997).

SEP

SCA17 has a vague boundary for the expansion number for the pathologic range.

BioMed Research International

However, the vague boundary of our sampling standard (difficult to ascertain the exact boundary among the four samples through different timings, as well as the initiation of the fiber ripening stage) resulted in the quantitative results in FirS being dissimilar to the RPKM values, which suggested that our sampling method could be further standardized for future studies of ramie fiber development.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Hull (1965) contends that species have vague boundaries and that such vagueness is incompatible with the existence of species specific essences.

SEP

Fuzzy partitioning is better suited to cases of vague boundaries between two segments which appear very often in reality.

Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics

In ultrasound images, most thyroid nodules are in heterogeneous appearances with various internal components and also have vague boundaries, so it is difficult for physicians to discriminate malignant thyroid nodules from benign ones.

Ultrasonics

Within these vague boundaries are said to be a multitude of bodies not elected but "relevant" to the coalition's values: voluntary bodies, community bodies, charities, parishes, "two or more employees" of a local authority, and "some other person as might be specified by the secretary of state" – presumably his brother-in-law or capo di famiglia.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is probably caused by unclear definitions and vague boundaries between settled and mobile communities (Sheikh and Velema 1999).

Pastoralism

Another possibility is to understand the vague boundaries as inviting discretion in the matter of producing a single standard of death.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vague boundary", ensure the context clarifies what is being bounded and why the boundary is not well-defined. This provides clarity even when the boundary itself is imprecise.

Common error

Avoid using "vague boundary" without specifying the entities it separates. Vague descriptions can lead to confusion, so always provide as much context as possible to anchor the ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague boundary" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vague" modifies the noun "boundary". It describes a limit or border that is not clearly defined or easily discernible, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vague boundary" is a commonly used phrase that describes a limit or separation that is not clearly defined. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, including science, news, and general discussions. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide sufficient context to mitigate potential ambiguity and enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "ill-defined border" or "unclear demarcation" can be used for subtle variations in meaning. Recognizing the communicative function and formality level helps ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-defined border

Emphasizes the lack of proper definition or specification of the border.

unclear demarcation

Focuses on the absence of a clear separation or distinction.

fuzzy limit

Highlights the imprecise and indistinct nature of the limit.

indistinct borderline

Stresses the lack of clear distinction in the borderline.

nebulous divide

Suggests a cloudy and indefinite separation.

imprecise delineation

Focuses on the lack of accuracy in the outlining or defining of something.

blurred lines

Highlights the lack of clear separation, implying difficulty in distinguishing between things.

amorphous edge

Emphasizes the shapeless and undefined quality of the edge.

hazy division

Indicates a lack of clarity and precision in the division.

uncertain limit

Stresses the doubtful or questionable nature of the limit.

FAQs

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

You can use "vague boundary" to describe situations where the limit or separation between two things is unclear. For example, "There is a vague boundary between acceptable risk and recklessness."

What are some alternatives to "vague boundary"?

Alternatives include "ill-defined border", "unclear demarcation", or "fuzzy limit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "vague borderline" instead of "vague boundary"?

"Vague borderline" is a similar phrase that can be used in some contexts. However, "vague boundary" is generally more common and versatile. Choose the one that best fits the specific situation.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "vague boundary"?

It is appropriate when discussing abstract concepts, geographical areas, or even physical objects where the precise limits are not clearly defined or are subject to interpretation.