are not exact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not exact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the precision or accuracy of information, measurements, or descriptions. Example: "The results of the experiment are not exact, but they provide a good estimate of the overall trend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The parallels are not exact of course.

The New York Times - Arts

The comparability of general population rates are not exact.

The New York Times - Sports

Note that the various editions are not exact translations.

Columbia University

In each case, however, the correlations are not exact.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Financial disclosures are not exact, but fall in ranges.

The New York Times

These drawings are not exact transcriptions of the world: they are, subtly yet boldly, interpretations.

The Guardian - Books

And it also highlights that the lines between writing and rewriting are not exact.

Yale University

Dr. Clapham noted that Permian and modern similarities are not exact.

The New York Times - Science

The parallels are not exact, however: ants are more amazing still.

The Guardian

In many cases, such as with Lipitor and Solodyn, the rival drugs are not exact generics.

The New York Times

The Asian branches are not exact copies of their parent schools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing data, use "are not exact" to acknowledge limitations in precision while still conveying valuable information.

Common error

Avoid using stronger terms like "wrong" when "are not exact" is more appropriate to reflect slight deviations rather than complete inaccuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not exact" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is an approximation or lacks perfect precision. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to soften claims and acknowledge limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

26%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not exact" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is an approximation rather than perfectly precise. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various domains. This phrase functions as a qualifier and its primary purpose is to temper claims and acknowledge limitations. While suitable for neutral writing, it is versatile enough to be used across both formal and informal registers. The most frequent contexts are News & Media, Science and Academia. When using this phrase, avoid overstating the accuracy of your statements and consider alternatives like "are approximate" or "are not precise" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are approximate

This alternative suggests that something is close to the true value but not perfectly accurate.

are not precise

This indicates a lack of fine distinction or detail.

are not accurate

This suggests a deviation from the true or correct value.

are not identical

This means that things are similar but have some differences.

are not perfectly aligned

This indicates that things do not match up precisely.

do not completely match

This suggests a partial but not full correspondence.

are not carbon copies

Highlights that something is not a faithful reproduction of an original.

are rough estimates

Emphasizes that something is a preliminary calculation and may require further refinement.

are estimates

A simple way to say that the figures you're using haven't been precisely calculated.

are only close

Highlights the distance between the comparison elements

FAQs

How can I use "are not exact" in a sentence?

You can use "are not exact" to indicate that some figures, measurements, or details aren't perfectly accurate. For example, "The dates given in the historical record "are not exact", but they offer a general timeline of events."

What phrases are similar to "are not exact"?

Alternatives to "are not exact" include phrases like "are approximate", "are not precise", or "are estimates". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "are not exact"?

"Are not exact" is suitable when you want to acknowledge a lack of perfect precision without implying complete inaccuracy. It's often used in scientific reports, financial analyses, and historical accounts where data might have limitations.

What's the difference between "are not exact" and "are incorrect"?

"Are not exact" implies a slight deviation or approximation, whereas "are incorrect" suggests a clear error or falsehood. Use "are not exact" when something is close but not perfectly accurate, and "are incorrect" when something is wrong.