a rounding error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rounding error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving mathematics, finance, or data analysis to refer to a small discrepancy resulting from rounding numbers. Example: "The final calculation showed a rounding error of just a few cents, which did not significantly affect the overall budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The amounts spent on anything remotely resembling Solyndra is a rounding error on a rounding error.

The New York Times

That revenue is a rounding error of a rounding error.

TechCrunch

Consider it a rounding error.

The New York Times

People were statistically insignificant, a rounding error.

The New Yorker

Pretty much a rounding error.

The Guardian

That's a joke, a rounding error.

The Washington Post

In the budget, it's a rounding error.

The Washington Post

We may charitably attribute the precision to a rounding error.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Washington, that is considered a rounding error.

The Washington Post

As Royal Bank of Scotland's fines go, £56m is a tiddler, almost a rounding error.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Apple has the highest market capitalization of any company on Wall Street, yet it only employs 50,000 employees worldwide--a rounding error in job measurerments.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rounding error", ensure the context clearly establishes what larger quantity the error is insignificant compared to.

Common error

Avoid using "a rounding error" to describe something that, while small, still has a noticeable or relevant impact. Be precise in your assessment of insignificance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rounding error" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a predicate nominative or an appositive. It describes something as being so small or insignificant that it can be disregarded, similar to a mathematical rounding error. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

22%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a rounding error" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something of negligible significance. It's frequently used in news, business, and finance to downplay small quantities or differences, as validated by Ludwig. While adaptable to various contexts, ensure the context is clear and accurate to prevent misinterpretation. The phrase is prevalent in neutral and slightly formal settings, demonstrating its broad usability across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negligible amount

Focuses on the quantity being so small it's not worth considering.

an insignificant detail

Highlights the unimportance of a specific detail within a larger context.

a triviality

Emphasizes the lack of importance or seriousness of something.

a drop in the bucket

Uses a metaphor to illustrate how small something is compared to a larger whole.

a mere fraction

Indicates something is only a small part of a whole.

a statistical blip

Suggests an anomaly that is too small to be meaningful in data analysis.

an inconsequentiality

Stresses the lack of consequence or impact.

a grain of sand in the desert

A metaphorical expression of extreme smallness relative to a much larger entity.

a vanishing point

Indicates something approaching zero or insignificance.

an infinitesimal quantity

Highlights the extremely small scale of the quantity involved.

FAQs

How can I use "a rounding error" in a sentence?

You can use "a rounding error" to describe a quantity or difference that is so small it is practically negligible. For example, "The difference in sales between the two products was "a rounding error"."

What's a more formal way to say "a rounding error"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "a negligible amount" or "an insignificant detail" to convey a similar meaning with slightly more precision.

Is it appropriate to use "a rounding error" in all situations?

While "a rounding error" is widely understood, it's best suited for contexts where numerical precision is expected. In more general situations, consider alternatives like "a triviality" or "an inconsequentiality".

When is something truly "a rounding error"?

Something is accurately described as "a rounding error" when its magnitude is so small relative to the overall figures or context that it does not materially affect the outcome or interpretation. It is essentially negligible.