are subject to error

USAGE SUMMARY

This part of a sentence is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe something as having the potential to be incorrect or flawed. For example: "Computer simulations may provide accurate insights, but they are subject to error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

But "forecasts are subject to error," he added.

The New York Times

All polls are subject to error, and it's quite possible that these three are simply outliers.

The New Yorker

Tips from informants on the ground are subject to error, as is the interpretation of video images.

The New Yorker

DNA specimens, for instance, are sometimes contaminated; fingerprint, ballistics and even run-of-the-mill drug and alcohol analyses depend on human interpretation and thus are subject to error.

The New York Times

In total, the death toll in battle fell from over 200,000 a year in the mid-1980s to below 20,000 in the mid-2000s.Such numbers are subject to error and dispute.

The Economist

Speakers are subject to error but not the Veda, whose verses are not originally composed (apauruṣeya).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

All engineering activities are human endeavors and thus they are subject to errors.

Handbook of Fire and Explosion Protection Engineering Principles For Oil, Gas, Chemical and Related Facilities

Thus, ensemble forecasts are subject to errors, which may be correlated in space and time and may be systematic.

Environmental Modelling & Software

We carry out an analysis of the behavior of the solutions when data of the equation are subject to errors.

Advances in Difference Equations

Movement data are frequently collected using Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, but recorded GPS locations are subject to errors.

Plosone

Also, these adducts are subject to error-prone translesion synthesis that contributes to mutagenesis (45).

Carcinogenesis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "are subject to error", be specific about what might introduce the error. For instance, mention the data collection methods, the interpretation of results, or the limitations of a model.

Common error

Avoid implying that errors are unavoidable or acceptable. While acknowledging the possibility of errors is important, it's also necessary to emphasize the steps taken to minimize them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are subject to error" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that the subject has the potential to be incorrect or flawed. This expression is commonly used to acknowledge limitations and uncertainties, a conclusion supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are subject to error" is a common and grammatically correct way to acknowledge the potential for mistakes or inaccuracies. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears frequently in science and news contexts, reflecting its role in tempering expectations and highlighting limitations. While alternatives like "are prone to mistakes" and "are liable to inaccuracies" offer subtle variations in emphasis, "are subject to error" remains a versatile and reliable choice. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify the source or nature of the potential error, while avoiding the implication that errors are inevitable or acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are prone to mistakes

Emphasizes a natural tendency or inclination towards making errors.

have the potential for mistakes

Emphasizes the possibility that errors can occur.

are liable to inaccuracies

Highlights the potential for a lack of precision or correctness.

are vulnerable to inaccuracies

Highlights the susceptibility to being imprecise or incorrect.

carry a risk of inaccuracy

Focuses on the inherent risk or possibility of being inaccurate.

are susceptible to flaws

Suggests a weakness or imperfection that can lead to errors.

are not always precise

Emphasizes the lack of consistent accuracy.

are open to misinterpretation

Highlights the possibility of being understood incorrectly or ambiguously.

can be unreliable

Indicates that something cannot always be trusted or depended on.

are fallible

Highlights the inherent human capacity to make mistakes.

FAQs

How can I use "are subject to error" in a sentence?

You can use "are subject to error" to indicate that something has the potential to be incorrect or flawed. For example, "All models "are subject to error" because they are simplifications of complex systems".

What can I say instead of "are subject to error"?

You can use alternatives like "are prone to mistakes", "are liable to inaccuracies", or "carry a risk of inaccuracy" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "are subject to errors" or "are subject to error"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "are subject to error" is more common when referring to the general possibility of mistakes. "Are subject to errors" is appropriate when referring to specific instances of errors.

What does it mean when something "is subject to error"?

When something "is subject to error", it means that it is not perfect and may contain mistakes or inaccuracies. This is often used to describe data, models, or processes that rely on human interpretation or have inherent limitations.