vaguely known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vaguely known" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not well-defined or is only partially recognized or understood. Example: "The artist's earlier works are vaguely known, but they gained fame with their latest exhibition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

There are not a lot of well-known -- or even vaguely known -- theater names on the roster, but, as is often the case with scrappy grab bags of work by mostly young artists, there are a lot of attention-getting concepts and titles.

The New York Times

The neural networks of eros, though, are only vaguely known.

The New York Times - Magazine

Four years ago, he claims to have only vaguely known himself.

The New York Times - Sports

I actually remember bumping into someone I'd vaguely known at college.

The Guardian

Vaguely known to early Greek geographers, the river was mapped in 1772 by the French geographer Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though Greek and German teams had done some previous archaeological work in the Agora, its location was only vaguely known.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

We vaguely know what it's meant to be.

Independent

But at least Ross, however vaguely, knows who they are.

Independent

I vaguely knew Vanessa as mother to Natasha and Joely.

The Guardian

Most podcasts, it's true, are hosted by people who at least vaguely know each other.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her husband, a professional man whom I vaguely knew, was with her.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrases like "somewhat familiar" or "partially recognized" to add variety to your writing and to tailor the description more precisely to the specific context.

Common error

While "vaguely known" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "poorly documented", "incompletely understood", or "subject to speculation" to enhance the clarity and authority of your prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vaguely known" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not completely or clearly understood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vaguely known" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something that is not fully understood or recognized. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and the examples show its application across various domains, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedias. While acceptable in many contexts, writers should consider more precise alternatives in formal writing to maintain clarity and authority. Use it to accurately convey the level of uncertainty or limited knowledge, and avoid overuse to keep your writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially recognized

Focuses on the recognition aspect, suggesting incomplete or limited recognition.

somewhat familiar

Indicates a degree of familiarity, but not complete knowledge.

not well-defined

Emphasizes the lack of clear definition or understanding.

imperfectly understood

Highlights the incomplete or flawed understanding of something.

dimly recalled

Focuses on the imperfect or fading memory of something.

faintly remembered

Suggests a weak or unclear memory of something.

sketchily outlined

Indicates that something is only presented in a rough or basic form.

superficially acquainted

Highlights a shallow or surface-level familiarity.

tenuously grasped

Emphasizes the weak or uncertain understanding of something.

hazily perceived

Indicates a vague or unclear perception of something.

FAQs

How can I use "vaguely known" in a sentence?

You can use "vaguely known" to describe something that is not widely recognized or fully understood. For example, "The author's early works are "vaguely known", but they gained considerable fame later in their career."

What are some alternatives to "vaguely known"?

Some alternatives to "vaguely known" include "partially recognized", "somewhat familiar", or "not well-defined" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "little known" or "vaguely known"?

The choice between "little known" and "vaguely known" depends on the context. "Little known" suggests something is obscure or not widely publicized, whereas "vaguely known" implies that something is known to some extent but not clearly or in detail.

Which is correct, "vaguely known" or "vaguely know"?

"Vaguely known" is the correct phrase when you want to describe something that is not fully or clearly understood. "Vaguely know" is grammatically incorrect in this context. For example, "The historical details are "vaguely known" not "vaguely know".