vague relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vague relationship" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you might use the sentence, "The two characters in the story have a vague relationship that is never fully explored."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Alas, key images suggest a rather vague relationship between form and space.

Independent

This "miscalculation" was mainly the result of procrastination, but also maybe the tiniest bit a problem of technology: back then, in the pre-digital age, physical books had a somewhat vague relationship to time.

The New Yorker

No matter, really — strictly speaking, the caucuses were actually a non-binding straw poll with only a vague relationship to the number of delegates each candidate will get from Washington.

The New Yorker

THIS week millions of "Chreasters" — Americans who attend church only on Christmas and Easter — will crowd into pews to sing carols and renew their vague relationship with the Christian God.

The New York Times

He believes the events in a writer's life have only a vague relationship to the fiction, like a dream from which a drama emerges.

Wikipedia

There for all to behold was a new gene test, this one for a gene that may have some vague relationship to muscle activity.

Genome Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The movie is filled with other vague relationships, vague doings — albeit all realized with verve, with purpose, and with some giddily psychedelic imagery.

The New Yorker

The novel is unique in its relentless accumulation of logistical details — "Paul first learned of Erin twenty months ago, in January 2009, when she commented on his blog and he clicked her profile and read her pensive, melancholy, amusing anecdotes, on her blog, of her vague relationships".

The New Yorker

Commonly, a social network with vague relationships is represented with a fuzzy graph, so called fuzzy social networks [47].

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Gee (2004b) argues that everyday language limits students' access to the knowledge of the discipline and obscures the details of causal, or other systematic relations among variables in favor of rather general and vague relationships.

International Journal of STEM Education

His economic beliefs are vague, his relationship with the generals unclear.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more precise language when possible. While "vague relationship" is acceptable, a more specific description can enhance clarity. Consider if "tenuous connection" or "ill-defined link" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "vague relationship" without any supporting details. If you state that a relationship is vague, briefly explain why it is so. Lack of explanation can leave the reader confused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague relationship" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vague" modifies the noun "relationship". It typically describes a connection or association that lacks clear definition or specific details. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and the examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vague relationship" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe connections lacking clarity or specific details. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears across diverse sources such as news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries. While not exceedingly common, it is important to provide context when using "vague relationship" to avoid ambiguity, and to ensure its use is the most appropriate choice for the intended meaning. Alternatives like "tenuous connection" or "ill-defined link" may offer more precise nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear connection

Focuses on the lack of clarity or understanding of the link.

loose association

Suggests a casual or informal connection without strong ties.

ill-defined link

Highlights the lack of clarity and specificity in the connection.

tenuous link

Emphasizes that the link is weak and easily broken.

tenuous connection

Emphasizes the weakness or insubstantiality of the link.

fuzzy correlation

Implies an uncertain or poorly defined statistical relationship.

imprecise correlation

Highlights a lack of precision in the measured relationship between two elements.

nebulous association

Describes association that lacks clear boundaries and limits.

ambiguous correlation

The nature of the correlation is unclear and uncertain.

shadowy connection

The nature of connection is uncertain and suspicious.

FAQs

What does "vague relationship" mean?

A "vague relationship" refers to a connection between two or more things that is not clearly defined, understood, or specified. The specifics of the relationship are uncertain or lacking detail.

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

You might say, "The historical records offer only a "vague relationship" between the two events," or "Their "vague relationship" made it difficult to predict their next move."

What are some alternatives to "vague relationship"?

Alternatives include "tenuous connection", "ill-defined link", or "loose association". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to be specific rather than describe something as a "vague relationship"?

In most formal writing, specificity is preferred. While "vague relationship" is acceptable, providing more detail about the nature of the relationship enhances clarity and understanding. If possible, specify what aspects of the relationship are unclear.