Substantially correct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Substantially correct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is mostly accurate or true, with only minor errors or omissions. Example: "The report is substantially correct, but it requires a few adjustments before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But you are substantially correct.

The New York Times

Asked if he had indeed said that, Mr. Pirzada said evenly, "That is substantially correct".

The New York Times

We think that these views, as applied to the case in hand, are substantially correct.

Harvard University

Officials of the institute declined repeated requests for interviews about their concerns, but a spokesman said institute officials believed that The Journal's article was substantially correct.

The New York Times

As Paul Dirac said, "Anyone who appreciates the fundamental harmony connecting the way Nature runs and general mathematical principles must feel that a theory with the beauty and elegance of Einstein's theory has to be substantially correct".

The New Yorker

Walter Allen III, the new director of the Youth Authority, said that the reports so critical of the system were "substantially correct" and that he had ordered his staff to prepare remedies and a timetable for achieving them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

A State Health Department inspection found significant problems in the quality of care at the Hempstead center last October but inspectors said they were substantially corrected in December.

The New York Times

But the most optimistic among them believe that within 10 years enough will be known so that the models can be substantially corrected.

The New York Times - Science

After fitting the closed orbit response matrix, linear optics of the storage ring is substantially corrected, and the measured parameters agree well with the design.

Nuclear Science and Techniques

Surrounded by scholars and visited by learned travelers from all over Europe, Tycho and his assistants collected observations and substantially corrected nearly every known astronomical record.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Book" is only a slight exaggeration: Chomsky does virtually all the talking (this is not Margaret Mead "rapping" with James Baldwin), and, because of a happy accident, the author has substantially corrected and revised the text.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially correct" to acknowledge minor inaccuracies while affirming overall validity. This shows nuanced understanding and builds credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially correct" when major inaccuracies exist. If the errors are significant, opt for phrases like "partially correct" or "requires major revisions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially correct" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of accuracy or truthfulness. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. It serves to qualify a statement or assessment, acknowledging minor discrepancies while affirming overall validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantially correct" is a useful adjective phrase to express that something is mostly accurate, even if it contains minor errors or omissions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using it, remember to avoid overstating accuracy if there are major inaccuracies. Alternative phrases like "largely accurate" or "mostly right" can also be used depending on the context. In summary, it's a valuable tool for expressing nuanced assessments of accuracy in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Substantially accurate

Synonymous, merely uses a different adjective to convey nearly the same meaning.

Largely accurate

Replaces 'correct' with 'accurate', focusing on the degree of accuracy.

Mostly right

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of being correct in most aspects.

Generally true

Emphasizes the overall truthfulness of a statement, allowing for minor inaccuracies.

Accurate for the most part

Highlights the accuracy while acknowledging possible small errors.

Correct in essence

Focuses on the fundamental correctness of something, despite superficial flaws.

Essentially accurate

Indicates that the core information is accurate, even if some details are not.

Valid in principle

Suggests that the underlying principle is correct, even if the implementation needs refinement.

Mostly precise

Implies the information is largely precise with only small deviations.

Roughly correct

Indicates an approximation that is close to being correct, but not exact.

FAQs

How can I use "substantially correct" in a sentence?

You can use "substantially correct" to indicate that something is mostly accurate, but not entirely perfect. For example, "The witness's account was "substantially correct", although some details were missing."

What's the difference between "substantially correct" and "completely correct"?

"Substantially correct" implies minor inaccuracies or omissions, while "completely correct" means there are no errors whatsoever. If something is "substantially correct", it's mostly right, but not 100% accurate.

What are some alternatives to "substantially correct"?

Alternatives include "largely accurate", "mostly right", or "generally true". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of accuracy you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "substantially correct" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantially correct" is suitable for formal writing. It is often used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts to convey a nuanced assessment of accuracy. The phrase provides a more precise evaluation than simply saying something is "correct".