How to Be Imprecise or Use Vague Expressions for ESL

How to Be Imprecise or Use Vague Expressions for ESL There are a number of ways to give imprecise information in English. Here are some of the most common: There are about 600 people working in this company.There are approximately 600 people working in this company.There are a large number of students interested in taking his course.Its  almost  impossible to get tickets for the concert.Management predicts up to 50% growth for the coming year.Its kind of a bottle opener which can also be used to peel vegetables.Its the type of place you can go to relax for a week or so.Theyre the sort of people that like going bowling on Saturday evenings.Its difficult to say, but Id guess that its used for cleaning house.Im not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the mountains. Construction Formula Form There are about 600 people working in this company.I have almost 200 friends in New York. Use about + a numbered expression.Use almost + a numbered expression There are approximately 600 people working in this company. Use approximately + a numbered expression. There are a large number of students interested in taking his course. Use a large number of + a noun. Management predicts up to 50% growth for the coming year. Use up to + a noun. Its kind of a bottle opener which can also be used to peel vegetables. Use kind of + a noun. Its the type of place you can go to relax for a week or so. Use type of + a noun. Use or so at the end of a sentence to express the meaning approximately. Theyre the sort of people that like going bowling on Saturday evenings. Use sort of + a noun. Its difficult to say, but Id guess that its used for cleaning house. Use the phrase + Its difficult to say, but Id guess an independent clause. Being Imprecise Dialogue Mark: Hi, Anna. Can I ask you a few questions for a survey Im doing in class?Anna: Sure, what would you like to know? Mark: Thanks, to begin with how many students are at your university?Anna: Well, I cant be exact. Id say there are about 5,000 students. Mark: Thats close enough for me. What about classes? How large is the average class?Anna: Thats really hard to say. Some courses have a large number of students, others not so many. Mark: Could you give me an estimate?Anna: Id there are approximately 60 students in most classes. Mark: Great. How would you describe your university?Anna: Once again, theres no clear cut answer. Its the kind of place students choose if they want to study non-traditional subjects.   Mark: So, youd say students are not what youd find at other schools.Anna: It has the sort of students that arent exactly sure what they want to do in the future.   Mark: Why did you choose to attend your university?Anna: Its difficult to say, but Id guess it was because I wanted to stay close to home.   Mark: Thanks for asking my questions!Anna: My pleasure. Im sorry I couldnt give you more exact answers.