vague generalities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vague generalities" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to statements that are too general and/or lack detail and clarity. For example, "The politician's speech was full of vague generalities, and he never gave concrete facts or solutions to the problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

All you're talking about is vague generalities.

The New York Times

"But they haven't talked except in very vague generalities about how they'd make up the revenue.

The New York Times

That's why it is often discussed in terms of vague generalities and hopeful platitudes.

The Guardian

Or will he invoke the separation of powers and answer in vague generalities?

The New York Times

"But despite numerous requests, all he's willing to provide are vague generalities".

The New York Times - Sports

President Bush and his apologists speak in vague generalities about staying the course and finishing the job.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

When asked about any new meanings or morals he may have drawn from his illness, he responded only in the vaguest generalities.

The New York Times - Arts

Oasis started the trend, hooking mums and dads with familiar-sounding riffs and "classic" influences, but it has reached its apotheosis with Coldplay, who write lyrics that deal only in the vaguest generalities, as if anything too specific might alienate potential record buyers.

The Guardian - Music

Obviously, what such situations might allow in terms of continued immorality needs to be spelled out in more detail than space allows here, but equally, it seems clear that there is a potential for dirty hands discussion that moves fruitfully beyond the often-vague generalities of "emergency" or "extremity".

SEP

Not only is harping on and on about growth anxiety inducing and intensely boring, it also reduces political discussion to the vaguest generalities.

Vice

He said he believed that his decision to speak in detail, reminiscent of Mr. Clinton's policy-laden State of the Union messages, was a gamble because "the modern trend has been to resort to the vaguest of generalities and not to challenge the audience with specifics and hard substance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing someone's argument, specify what makes their generalities "vague". Instead of just stating that an argument is full of "vague generalities", identify specific instances where concrete evidence or detailed explanations are lacking.

Common error

Avoid using "vague generalities" as a standalone critique without further elaboration. The phrase itself is general, so you need to provide specific examples to illustrate what you mean. Simply labeling something as "vague generalities" without supporting evidence weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague generalities" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a quality of statements or ideas, characterizing them as lacking specificity and detail. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

HuffPost

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vague generalities" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe statements lacking specific details. It functions primarily as a critical noun phrase, often used in news, media and academic contexts to point out a lack of concrete evidence or detailed explanations. While the phrase itself is useful, it is best employed with specific examples to support the criticism. Alternatives such as "imprecise statements" or "generalized notions" can be used depending on the nuance intended. When using this phrase, ensure to provide context and specific instances to avoid the criticism of, well, using "vague generalities".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imprecise statements

Focuses on the lack of precision in the statements.

broad statements

Highlights the wide scope and lack of specific details.

indefinite terms

Emphasizes the lack of defined or clear terms.

unclear specifics

Directly points out the absence of clear and detailed information.

ambiguous assertions

Stresses the uncertainty and multiple interpretations possible.

fuzzy concepts

Highlights the lack of clarity and definition of ideas.

generalized notions

Focuses on the broad and non-specific nature of the ideas.

hazy pronouncements

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and distinctness in the declarations.

ill-defined principles

Highlights that rules or ideas are not clearly established.

nebulous ideas

Focuses on how ideas are indistinct and lack form.

FAQs

How can I identify "vague generalities" in writing?

Look for statements that lack specific details, evidence, or concrete examples. If a claim could apply to almost anything without offering unique insights, it's likely a "vague generality".

What's the difference between "broad statements" and "vague generalities"?

"Broad statements" refer to the scope of the statement, while "vague generalities" refer to the lack of specific details. You can find good alternative at /s/broad+statements.

When is it appropriate to use "vague generalities"?

While often a criticism, "vague generalities" can be useful when introducing a topic or outlining a high-level overview before diving into specifics. However, always follow up with concrete details to avoid ambiguity.

What are some phrases similar to "vague generalities"?

Alternatives include "imprecise statements", "unclear specifics", and "generalized notions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.