SUB: VERBAL

TOPIC: USING VAGUE EXPRESSIONS - BEING IMPRECISE

USING VAGUE EXPRESSIONS - BEING IMPRECISE

Introduction
Information is given in two ways. One is the exact and precise information and the other
is an approximation. There are a number of ways to give imprecise information in
English. Study the following samples to know how to be give imprecise information.
Sample

Dialogue I (Informal)

Ankit: Hey Rohan! Heard your cousins are heading to Hrishikesh! Is it a religious trip?
You: I’m not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the mountains.

Dialogue II (Informal)

You: Mum, what does this sales person want to sell? I don’t understand her language at
all!
Your mum: It’s difficult to say, but I’d guess that she’s trying to selling something for
cleaning house.

Dialogue III (Semi Formal)

You: Excuse me, can you tell me what this appliance is?
Sales person: It’s a kind of bottle opener which can also be used to peel vegetables.

Dialogue IV (Formal)

Enquiry officer: How many people work in this company?

Rohan: There are about 600 people working in this company.
Or
There are approximately 600 people working in this company.

Dialogue V (Formal)

Principal : Mr. Bhatia, we had planned to introduce a Course in Spoken English. How
many students are interested?
Mr. Bhatia: There are a large number of students of students interested in taking this
course, sir.

Dialogue VI (Formal)

Sales Manager: Miss. Neeta, what are the predictions of sales for the next year?
Neeta: The figures predict up to 50% growth for the coming year, sir.

Key Vocabulary / Phrases

1
 SUB: VERBAL
TOPIC: USING VAGUE EXPRESSIONS - BEING IMPRECISE

I’m not really sure….

It’s difficult to say…
It’s a kind of……
About …..
Approximately…..
A large number of…..
Very few….
Many
Very little
Up to ….%

Practice

1 Work in pairs. Complete the following dialogues in a meaningful way. Then take
turns to practise the same.

A: Rahul, what are you holding in your hand?

B: ………………………….., it’s a swiss knife.

C: Hello Mr.Rao! Heard that your daughter’s wedding was a big event. How many
people attended the wedding?
D:

A: Good morning, sir. I’m a student of Management Studies. I would like to gather some
information about this company.
B: Go ahead.
A: How many woman employees work in this company?
B:
A: How many of them have regular monthly income?
B:
A: Do you think this number is likely to go up next year?
B:
A: Is there any possibility of marketing your product at the International level?
B:
A: Thank you, sir, for the valuable time you have spared me.