Languages › English as a Second Language Using Vague Expressions - Being Imprecise Share Flipboard Email Print I'm Not Sure!. Jamie Grill / Tetra images / Getty Images English as a Second Language Grammar Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. our editorial process Kenneth Beare Updated October 16, 2018 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.It's almost impossible to get tickets for the concert.Management predicts up to 50% growth for the coming year.It's kind of a bottle opener which can also be used to peel vegetables.It's the type of place you can go to relax for a week or so.They're the sort of people that like going bowling on Saturday evenings.It's difficult to say, but I'd guess that it's used for cleaning house.I'm 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. It's kind of a bottle opener which can also be used to peel vegetables. Use 'kind of' + a noun. It's 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'. They're the sort of people that like going bowling on Saturday evenings. Use 'sort of' + a noun. It's difficult to say, but I'd guess that it's used for cleaning house. Use the phrase + 'It's difficult to say, but I'd guess' an independent clause. Being Imprecise Dialogue Mark: Hi, Anna. Can I ask you a few questions for a survey I'm 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 can't be exact. I'd say there are about 5,000 students. Mark: That's close enough for me. What about classes? How large is the average class?Anna: That's really hard to say. Some courses have a large number of students, others not so many. Mark: Could you give me an estimate?Anna: I'd there are approximately 60 students in most classes. Mark: Great. How would you describe your university?Anna: Once again, there's no clear cut answer. It's the kind of place students choose if they want to study non-traditional subjects. Mark: So, you'd say students are not what you'd find at other schools.Anna: It has the sort of students that aren't exactly sure what they want to do in the future. Mark: Why did you choose to attend your university?Anna: It's difficult to say, but I'd guess it was because I wanted to stay close to home. Mark: Thanks for asking my questions!Anna: My pleasure. I'm sorry I couldn't give you more exact answers.