vague distinction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vague distinction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a difference or separation that is not clearly defined or is ambiguous. Example: "The author makes a vague distinction between the two concepts, leaving readers confused about their differences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Keynes's approach had been to draw a vague distinction between money and some notion of "capital".

The Economist

This vague distinction between reflex and non-reflexive (or flexible) behaviours in fish relies on the notion that higher-level brain activity was associated with the latter and not the former (Dunlop et al. 2006; Braithwaite et al. 2013).

Biology and Philosophy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Vague distinctions, particularly in the area of gene discoveries, have led to much controversy in the biotech industry.

Science Magazine

Another map, on state-owned Russian television channel Rossiya-1 included the same vague distinctions: Kurds, the Islamic State, and "other Islamic organizations".

Huffington Post

However, as gastric dysplasia belongs to part of a widely accepted multistep, continuum progression cascade from normal gastric tissue to adenocarcinoma (Correa, 1988), it implies vague molecular distinction of gastric dysplasia that may render characterisation and discrimination tougher for Raman spectral analysis.

British Journal of Cancer

Beyond this we were probably unhelpfully vague about the distinction between realisation as an inter-stratal or inter-rank relationship and instantiation (also called realisation) as the manifestation of system in process (of systemic potential in textualised actual).

Functional Linguistics

Nurses found that their professional roles are vague, because the distinction between ENs and RNs is unclear.

BMC Nursing

With too little distinction between vague suspicions and serious allegations, authorities can easily be distracted from identifying children for whom there is a genuine, concrete threat.

Independent

Indeed, less expensive hotels and pensions (the distinction is vague) reported early this month that all their space was taken not only for Easter but also for several summer weeks, mostly by Holy Year pilgrims' groups.

The New York Times - Travel

A vague, but nonetheless helpful distinction is drawn by Polanyi between "market economies" and "market societies".

SEP

Many advocates of character education are vague on just this distinction, and it might be helpful to propose that character consists of traits that are learned, while personality and temperament consist of traits that are innate.[8] What advocates are clear on, however, is that character is the essence of what we are.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If possible, specify what makes the distinction vague. For example, is it due to overlapping characteristics, insufficient data, or subjective interpretation?

Common error

Avoid using "vague distinction" when a more precise term like "incorrect distinction" or "false distinction" is more appropriate. "Vague" implies a lack of clarity, not necessarily an error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague distinction" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "vague" modifies the noun "distinction". It describes the quality of a difference or separation between two or more things, indicating that this difference is not clearly defined or easily perceived. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a usable and correct phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vague distinction" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a difference or separation that lacks clarity or precision. As Ludwig AI points out, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. The phrase appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general discourse, suggesting its versatility. When employing "vague distinction", it's advisable to clarify the specific reasons for the ambiguity, whether due to overlapping characteristics, insufficient data, or subjective interpretation. Alternatives such as "unclear distinction", "hazy distinction", and "blurred distinction" offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for more nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear distinction

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the difference.

hazy distinction

Suggests a blurred or indistinct difference.

blurred distinction

Highlights the lack of a sharp boundary.

indistinct difference

Focuses on the lack of a clear separation.

tenuous distinction

Implies a weak or fragile difference.

fuzzy distinction

Conveys a sense of imprecision or lack of definition.

ill-defined distinction

Highlights the absence of a clear definition.

shadowy distinction

Suggests a hidden or obscured difference.

nebulous distinction

Emphasizes the lack of form or clear boundaries.

imprecise difference

Focuses on the lack of exactness or accuracy.

FAQs

What does "vague distinction" mean?

A "vague distinction" refers to a difference or separation between two things that is not clearly defined or easily perceived. It implies a lack of precision or clarity in the boundary between them.

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

You can use "vague distinction" to describe situations where the boundary between two concepts is not clear-cut. For example, "The research revealed a "vague distinction" between the two types of cells."

What are some alternatives to "vague distinction"?

Some alternatives to "vague distinction" include "unclear distinction", "hazy distinction", or "blurred distinction". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "vague distinction" or "unclear distinction"?

"Vague distinction" and "unclear distinction" are very similar. "Vague" suggests a lack of precision or detail, while "unclear" suggests a lack of understanding or visibility. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the ambiguity itself or the difficulty in perceiving the difference.