vague intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vague intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe information or knowledge that is unclear, imprecise, or lacking in detail. Example: "The report provided only vague intelligence about the situation, leaving us uncertain about the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's a difficult and fine line that we walk," Tom Ridge, the White House's director of homeland security, said of the F.B.I.'s latest, unspecified warning -- based on what it calls credible but vague intelligence about more terrorist attacks.

The New York Times

The investigation comes amid accusations by Democrats and some Republicans that the US went to war on the basis of outdated and vague intelligence, and challenges the integrity of the Bush administration.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Such an attack had been signalled, if vaguely, by intelligence over the summer.

The Guardian

In Ankara, the capital, thousands of secularist protesters clashed with the riot police after they went ahead with a rally to celebrate Republic Day, the holiday marking Turkey's founding as a republic in 1923, that had been banned by the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, vaguely citing intelligence reports that the gathering could become violent.

The New York Times

In this book, Keith Downing undertakes a systematic investigation of the widespread (if often vague) claim that intelligence is an emergent phenomenon.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr. Ashcroft has issued warnings of new terrorist threats, based on vague but credible intelligence information, overruling some reluctant F.B.I. officials.

The New York Times

The report documents how time and again Mr. Bush and his team took vague and dubious intelligence reports on Iraq's weapons programs and made them sound like hard and incontrovertible fact.

The New York Times

Over two days, they simulated a meeting of the National Security Council and were fed hypothetical situations in which intelligence, vague and conflicting at first but becoming more specific as the hours went by, indicated an attack somewhere in the eastern United States.

The New York Times

Handed one particularly vague item, a senior intelligence official tells Ashish Khetan that, "there is no address, no telephone number, no specific identification of the suspects provided in this alert.

The New York Times

Pakistani officials take issue with that, adding that the United States overstates the threat posed by the Quetta shura, possibly because the American understanding of the situation is distorted by vague and self-serving intelligence provided by Afghanistan's spy service.

The New York Times

Democrats said that in keeping the authority of the new intelligence chief vague, Mr. Bush was seeking to avoid a major blowup with Congress and the Pentagon before the election, and was most of all eager to be seen as proactive after the devastating findings of the Sept. 11 commission and weeks of attacks from his Democratic opponent, Senator John Kerry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vague intelligence", ensure that the context clarifies the implications of the lack of specificity, such as potential unreliability or difficulty in acting upon it.

Common error

Avoid using "vague intelligence" as a justification for inaction or misinterpretation. Always seek clarification or corroborating evidence to support decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague intelligence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vague" modifies the noun "intelligence". It describes the quality of the intelligence, indicating a lack of clarity or specificity. As Ludwig AI states, it describes information that is unclear and lacking in detail.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vague intelligence" is used to describe information that lacks clarity or specificity. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI classifies the phrase usage as rare. It commonly appears in news and media contexts, as well as academic discussions, highlighting its relevance in analyzing information quality. Alternatives include "unclear intelligence" or "imprecise information". When using "vague intelligence", be aware of its limitations and potential for misinterpretation, seeking corroborating evidence when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unclear intelligence

Replaces "vague" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of clarity.

Imprecise intelligence

Focuses on the lack of precision in the information.

Uncertain intelligence

Highlights the lack of certainty associated with the intelligence.

Indistinct intelligence

Highlights the lack of clear definition or boundaries in the intelligence.

Incomplete intelligence

Highlights the lack of all necessary parts or elements in the intelligence.

Nebulous intelligence

Emphasizes the hazy or ill-defined nature of the intelligence.

Ambiguous information

Shifts from "intelligence" to "information" while maintaining the sense of uncertainty.

Fragmentary intelligence

Suggests the intelligence is made up of small, disconnected pieces.

Dubious intelligence

Suggests the intelligence is questionable or unreliable.

Sketchy intelligence

Implies the information is incomplete and potentially unreliable.

FAQs

What does "vague intelligence" mean?

The term "vague intelligence" refers to information or knowledge that is unclear, imprecise, or lacks specific details. It is often used to describe intelligence reports or assessments that provide a general sense of a potential threat or situation but do not offer concrete information for action.

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

You can use "vague intelligence" in a sentence to describe the quality of information. For example, "The decision to increase security was based on "vague intelligence" suggesting a possible attack".

What are some alternatives to "vague intelligence"?

Some alternatives to "vague intelligence" include "unclear intelligence", "imprecise information", or "ambiguous data". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What are the risks of relying on "vague intelligence"?

Relying on "vague intelligence" can lead to misinterpretations, ineffective responses, or wasted resources. Without specific details, it's difficult to assess the credibility of the intelligence or to develop targeted strategies. It may be necessary to combine "vague intelligence" with other sources of information to form a clearer picture.