vaguely specified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vaguely specified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not clearly defined or lacks precise details. Example: "The requirements for the project were vaguely specified, leading to confusion among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Instead, the Union is given vaguely specified "shared competence" in wide areas of policy.

The Economist

Strongly contra, I pointed out that an American anthem whose syntax runs backwards and whose antecedents are so vaguely specified (I don't get it? What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

The New Yorker

It was gone, cropped short by a Met hairdresser so Ms. Mattila could portray Beethoven's Leonore, the wife of a liberal-minded nobleman in late-18th-century Spain who has been imprisoned for vaguely specified reasons by a repressive local governor.

The New York Times

Strongly contra, I pointed out that an American anthem whose syntax runs backwards and whose antecedents are so vaguely specified (I don't get it? What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Oh, I see — the flag!) and whose point seems to be that you can lose the fort as long as you can still see the banner, all action to no particular end, is beloved from use, not sense.

The New Yorker

These notions are often vaguely specified and overlapping in their definitions.

Comparative Migration Studies

RAMP requirements are left unspecified, specified at a later stage, or at best vaguely specified, which makes requirements specifications more of an art than a science.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Of these, the site of the primary lesion was often only specified vaguely, e.g. "posterior fossa" or "cerebrum".

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Indeed, it is our experience that useful information may be provided even if outcomes are vaguely or poorly specified.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

For age-groups under 10 years, we specified vague Beta priors as no data were available.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The prior distributions placed on parameters in this model were vague and were specified as follows: µ j A ∼ Normal (0,   10000 ) d k A ∼ Normal (0,   10000 ) σ ∼ Uniform (0,   10 ).

Clinical Epidemiology

However, the reference was vague and neither leader specified whether they were referring to movement, residency or benefit access.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vaguely specified", ensure the context clearly indicates what lacks specificity. Providing examples or further clarification can enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "vaguely specified" without providing any indication of what is vaguely specified. This can leave the reader confused. Instead, identify the specific area lacking clarity to improve communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vaguely specified" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun or concept that lacks clear definition or precise details. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in describing policies, requirements, and other abstract entities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vaguely specified" serves as an adjectival modifier, indicating a lack of clarity or detail in a particular context. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears across various domains, primarily in science and news media. While not exceedingly common, it effectively communicates a deficiency in precision. Alternatives like "imprecisely defined" or "poorly outlined" can offer nuanced variations. When employing this phrase, consider adding context to clarify precisely what lacks specificity to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imprecisely defined

This alternative focuses on the lack of precision in the definition itself.

poorly outlined

This suggests that the specifications were sketched out ineffectively, lacking detail.

ill-defined

This term highlights the inadequate clarity or definition of something.

loosely defined

This suggests a relaxed or flexible definition, lacking strict boundaries.

indistinctly described

This focuses on the lack of clarity in the description provided.

ambiguously stated

This emphasizes the potential for multiple interpretations due to unclear wording.

incompletely detailed

This highlights the absence of necessary details, rendering the specification lacking.

unclearly articulated

This suggests that the specification was not expressed in a clear and understandable manner.

nebulously presented

This emphasizes the lack of a definite form or shape in the presentation of the specifications.

sketchily specified

This emphasizes something lacking detail and precision.

FAQs

What does "vaguely specified" mean?

The term "vaguely specified" means that something is not clearly defined or lacks precise details. It indicates a lack of clarity or specificity in the information provided.

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

You can use "vaguely specified" to describe requirements, plans, or instructions that are not clearly defined. For example: "The project requirements were "vaguely specified", leading to confusion among the team members."

What are some alternatives to "vaguely specified"?

Alternatives to "vaguely specified" include "imprecisely defined", "poorly outlined", or "loosely defined". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to be "vaguely specified" or "clearly specified"?

In most situations, it's preferable to be "clearly specified" rather than "vaguely specified", as clarity reduces ambiguity and potential for misinterpretation. However, there may be cases where a certain degree of flexibility is desired.