Contradictions in thought And vague there’s Latin to thank for around share they share. In Latin around- means “both”, but for this pair of words, the idea is plural, not exactly two.
If you are conflicted about something, you will have two feelings about it. On the other hand, ‘ambiguous’ means “not clear or likely to be understood in two or more different ways.”
Conflict: More than a feeling
If you have conflicting opinions about something, your feelings about it are conflicting or mixed: you feel two (or more) ways about it. This word usually describes a person or a person’s attitude:
I’m ambivalent about going to the show. On the one hand, it will be fun. On the other hand, I really should stay home and get some work done.
I can’t decide which boots to buy—I’m conflicted. A reasonably priced pair, but not very stylish. The other pair are expensive but look great. And the third pair is attractive and well-priced, but will only be good for dry weather.
The public tends to have conflicting attitudes about privacy. We want to protect our own privacy, but we don’t want the privacy of potential wrongdoers.
She is very conflicted on this issue and is able to argue both sides very effectively.
Ambiguous: More than one meaning
Vagueon the other hand, is not a word used to describe people—although it is used to describe things people do or say. It is used in cases where the meaning of something is not clear, often because it can be understood in several ways:
The vague results of the study clearly indicate that more research is needed.
Their offer was vague; do they offer me to borrow or rent a car from them?
from maybe unclear: it could be about permission—”you can go”—or about the possibility—”it might rain.”
Contradictions in thought is an early 20th century innovation born out of the field of psychology. Noun inconsistency appears first and specifically refers to conflicting emotions or attitudes that occur simultaneously—such as simultaneous attraction and disgust toward a person, object, or action. Vague has been with us since the beginning of the 16th century.
Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
