vague information

USAGE SUMMARY

"vague information" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to data that is not detailed or precise. For example: "He presented the committee with some vague information, without any evidence to back it up."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And Mr. Wurzelbacher has provided only vague information on his and the company's finances since talking to Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

Several calls to the police, animal control officials and farms in the area produced only vague information.

The New York Times

Amazon has also been criticised for providing only a small amount of rather vague information about the outage.

The Economist

The government released only vague information about the case, offering no concrete evidence that Mr. Regan had actually spied for a foreign country.

The New York Times

Since 2009, meat companies have also had to provide some vague information about origins for instance, that a product came from North America.

The New Yorker

Because of privacy laws, it can be difficult to determine from the vague information on your credit report where these unpaid bills originated.

The New York Times - Health

When he said "we had notification" that the attack would occur on Sept. 11, some lawyers said, he might simply have meant that he had received vague information, not that he had helped plan the attack.

The New York Times

The search for the men, based on vague information about their possible connection to terrorism, reflected the heightened level of concern about a New Year's terrorist attack even as the authorities acknowledged that they had received no credible threats in recent days.

The New York Times

The theory of fuzzy logic is the mathematical model, suitable to solve uncertain and vague information.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Says a Dell spokesperson: "There's a fair bit of commitment based on vague information.

Forbes

Also, in databases and in knowledge-based systems one likes to store vague information.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "vague information", acknowledge its limitations and state explicitly what aspects are unclear or need further clarification. This avoids misleading your audience and maintains transparency.

Common error

Don't assume your audience will interpret "vague information" the way you do. Always provide context and, if possible, strive to clarify the information as much as possible to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague information" functions as a noun phrase, where "vague" modifies the noun "information". It typically serves to describe the quality of the information being discussed, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vague information" is a commonly used phrase that serves to describe details lacking clarity or precision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability, evident from its presence across diverse sources, including scientific journals, news articles, and general web content. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, recognizing its limitations and clarifying the context when using it are essential for effective communication. Alternatives such as "unclear details" or "imprecise data" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear details

Focuses on the lack of clarity rather than the lack of specific content.

imprecise data

Highlights the lack of accuracy and exactness in the information.

sketchy facts

Suggests the information is incomplete and potentially unreliable.

ambiguous details

Emphasizes the information is open to multiple interpretations.

indefinite specifics

Points out the lack of clear boundaries or limits to the information.

tenuous data

Highlights the weakness and lack of a firm basis in the data.

fuzzy specifics

Indicates a lack of sharp distinction or clear outline in the information.

ill-defined information

Highlights that the information lacks definition or structure.

general statements

Shifts focus to the broad nature of the information instead of specifics.

rough details

Emphasizes the lack of polish or refinement in the information.

FAQs

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

You can use "vague information" to describe details that lack clarity or precision. For instance, "The suspect provided "vague information" about his whereabouts on the night of the crime".

What are some alternatives to saying "vague information"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "unclear details", "imprecise data", or "sketchy facts".

Is it acceptable to present "vague information" in a formal report?

While presenting "vague information" is sometimes unavoidable, it's best practice to acknowledge its limitations and explain the reasons for the lack of specific details. Transparency is key when dealing with uncertain data.

What's the difference between "vague information" and "false information"?

"Vague information" lacks clarity or precision, while "false information" is inaccurate or untrue. The former is unclear, the latter is incorrect. False information is something completely wrong, while "vague information" is more about the information that is lacking details, incomplete or ambiguous.