a relatively accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the degree of accuracy of something, indicating that it is accurate to a certain extent but not completely precise. Example: "The results of the experiment were a relatively accurate representation of the expected outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fact that PrimPol can catalyze bypass of 8-oxo-dG in a relatively accurate fashion is interesting, though it is not the only enzyme capable of accurately bypassing 8-oxo-dG.

Biochemistry

Lastly, the predictive model that we have developed enables a relatively accurate and cheaper way of estimating gender disparities.

University of California, Berkeley

Different porosity measurement methods are investigated and compared to ascertain a relatively accurate and efficient method suitable for laboratory utilization.

Ceramics International

However, MPC needs a relatively accurate model of the post-failure system to calculate a stabilizing control signal.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

What's different about Ex Machina, they say, is that it offers a relatively accurate depiction of the long and laborious process of building and tweaking a robot, with the techniques and processes researchers are using today.

The Guardian - Tech

The prototype can also output a relatively accurate circular motion and the maximum output torques in forward and backward directions are 76.4 Nmm and 70.6 Nmm, respectively.

Journal of Bionic Engineering

The developed two structural forms of the generalized solvation model (Senol, 2013) provide a relatively accurate description of the salting effect on vapor pressure of (solvent + salt) systems.

The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics

FLASHCHAIN® was able to provide a relatively accurate prediction of the char yield, poorer predictions of the tar and water yields and no correlation with the gas yield.

Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis

At the time we found this article, we had already found a relatively accurate way of determining a step and we were writing code to improve the accuracy for different speeds.

Cornell University

This is particularly useful for studies that compare the prevalence of disease across regions, since they can use the same case definitions and, therefore, obtain a relatively accurate assessment of disease.

Britannica

The spectacular synergy between local fighters and special forces on the ground, combined with long-range air power, helped to ensure that America's massive bombs were delivered in a relatively accurate way.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a relatively accurate" to temper expectations when absolute precision is not achievable or necessary, but a reasonable level of correctness is still important.

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively accurate" when the subject is known to be highly precise. This phrase suggests a degree of uncertainty or approximation, which is inappropriate for situations demanding or achieving near-perfect accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively accurate" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to qualify the degree of accuracy, suggesting that something is accurate to a certain extent, though not perfectly so. Ludwig examples show the phrase used across various domains, illustrating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

22%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a relatively accurate" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that possesses a good degree of accuracy without being perfect. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts like science, news, and academia. It functions to qualify the degree of accuracy and manage expectations. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "a fairly accurate" or "a reasonably precise" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that the most common mistake is to use this phrase to describe a well-known fact or situation, in such cases "accurate" will work alone without "relatively".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mostly accurate

Shifts focus on the proportion of accuracy, acknowledging small inaccuracies may exist.

a reasonably precise

Emphasizes precision to a moderate degree, shifting focus from general accuracy to measured exactness.

a fairly correct

Highlights the correctness aspect, suggesting fewer errors or deviations from a standard.

a moderately exact

Stresses the degree of exactness achieved, positioning it as neither fully precise nor entirely approximate.

a comparatively exact

Highlights accuracy through comparison, suggesting it's more exact than something else.

a tolerably faithful

Implies a level of faithfulness to an original or true representation that is acceptable but not perfect.

a somewhat close

Indicates proximity to a target or standard, with an emphasis on the degree of closeness achieved.

an acceptably truthful

Focuses on the veracity aspect, suggesting the information is truthful enough for a given purpose.

an approximately right

Highlights the concept of being close to being right without necessarily being entirely so.

a generally valid

Emphasizes the overall validity of something, implying it holds true in most situations or conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "a relatively accurate" in a sentence?

You can use "a relatively accurate" to describe something that is reasonably close to being correct or precise, but not necessarily perfect. For example, "The model provides "a relatively accurate" prediction of future trends."

What's the difference between "a relatively accurate" and "an absolutely accurate"?

"A relatively accurate" indicates a degree of accuracy that is not perfect but still acceptable or useful. "An absolutely accurate", on the other hand, suggests complete and total precision without any errors or deviations.

What are some alternatives to using "a relatively accurate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a fairly accurate", "a reasonably precise", or "a mostly accurate" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a relatively accurate" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate. The phrase is suitable for formal writing, as it provides a nuanced way of describing accuracy without claiming absolute perfection. It can be used in academic, scientific, or business contexts.