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: Im 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 dont understand her language at
all!
Your mum: Its difficult to say, but Id guess that shes trying to selling something for
cleaning house.
Dialogue III

(Semi Formal)

You:
Excuse me, can you tell me what this appliance is?
Sales person: Its 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

Im not really sure.

Its difficult to say
Its 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: .., its a swiss knife.
2
C: Hello Mr.Rao! Heard that your daughters wedding was a big event. How many
people attended the wedding?
D:
3
A: Good morning, sir. Im 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.