accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is exact and precise. Example sentence: "The meteorologist's weather forecast was surprisingly accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The newspapers were named the most trustworthy, accurate and reliable newspapers in the UK in 2013.

The Guardian

Thinking about it, it might be more accurate to say that dogs are natural Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

On an underlying basis, as measured by earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, the Guardian and Observer lost £22m, but the cash loss, a more accurate measure of financial performance, was larger at £33m.

The Guardian

The Eagles went into the last change two points ahead with an accurate 12.2 on the scoreboard.

The Guardian - Sport

While much on social media was highly speculative, Di Stefano's fast and accurate tweets from the scene saw him put on 3,500 Twitter followers over 17 hours.

The Guardian

A source said: "The exit poll is accurate.

The Guardian

Lombardi was referring to a previous instance in which Scalfari wrote up an encounter with Francis last October, which the Vatican later claimed was not altogether accurate.

The Guardian

And SokoniSMS64 in Kenya sends farmers texts with accurate market prices from around the country, helping them negotiate with traders and connect to markets.

The Guardian

As data improves, the numbers are merging, suggesting travel advice has become more accurate.

The Guardian - Tech

Being dramatic about a country at war is not accurate.

The Guardian

Journalists shouldn't base entire articles on press releases without checking that the statements in them are accurate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accurate" when you want to emphasize that information is free from errors and conforms to reality. For example, "accurate data" or "accurate measurements."

Common error

Avoid using "accurate" when describing opinions or interpretations. Instead, use words like "valid", "insightful", or "thoughtful" to convey the value of subjective assessments.

Linguistic Context

The word "accurate" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a high degree of correctness or conformity to truth. As Ludwig AI states, the word "accurate" is correct and usable in written English. It's used to describe something exact and precise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Opinion

5%

Tech

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "accurate" functions as an adjective signifying precision and freedom from error. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. The term is "very common", especially in news, sports and business communication and finds usage in a range of authoritative sources, including The Guardian and The New York Times. To enhance writing, use "accurate" when emphasizing factual correctness, but consider alternatives like "precise" or "exact" for nuanced meanings. Avoid overusing "accurate" in subjective contexts where terms like "insightful" or "thoughtful" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precise

Emphasizes exactness and attention to detail.

exact

Stresses strict conformity to fact or a standard.

correct

Focuses on being free from error.

truthful

Highlights adherence to truth and honesty.

verifiable

Emphasizes the ability to be proven true or correct.

authentic

Focuses on genuineness and reliability.

reliable

Highlights the consistency and dependability of information.

factual

Emphasizes being based on facts and evidence.

unerring

Suggests infallibility and freedom from mistakes.

on point

Highlights relevance and precision in a more informal context.

FAQs

How can I use "accurate" in a sentence?

You can use "accurate" to describe information, measurements, or representations that are free from errors and conform to reality. For example, "The data must be as accurate as possible."

What can I say instead of "accurate"?

You can use alternatives like "precise", "exact", or "correct" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "accurate data" or "precise data"?

Both "accurate data" and "precise data" can be correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Accurate data" stresses freedom from errors, while "precise data" emphasizes the level of detail and exactness in the data.

What's the difference between "accurate" and "truthful"?

"Accurate" refers to being free from errors and conforming to reality, while "truthful" refers to being honest and sincere. While both terms relate to correctness, "truthful" emphasizes intent, whereas "accurate" emphasizes factual correctness.