be less accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be less accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for reduced precision or detail in a particular context or task. Example: "In this brainstorming session, we encourage you to be less accurate and focus on generating creative ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The hurricane forecasts have proven to be less accurate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Factor-based models tend to be less accurate.

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies

And it continued to be less accurate in the 12 months ended in July 2005.

The New York Times

The F-16s might be less accurate, but they come and go".

The New Yorker

However, the perigee times will be less accurate as time increases from the creation date.

Harvard University

However, this could be less accurate in for a standard clock.

Cornell University

If the records are incomplete, our climate forecasts are likely to be less accurate.

Columbia University

It, however, would be less accurate than today's Timex or smartphone.

The Washington Post

Ask them to make a second and it should, by definition, be less accurate.

The Economist

"But 10-year projections are likely to be less accurate than five-year projections," Mr. Anderson said.

The New York Times

It's ironic that it seems to take very large amounts of processing power to be less accurate.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the limitations of a model or method, use "be less accurate" to honestly acknowledge potential shortcomings.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of inaccuracy when using "be less accurate". Quantify the potential margin of error or provide specific examples to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be less accurate" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reduction in precision or correctness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. It's frequently used to acknowledge limitations in data or methodologies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be less accurate" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a reduction in precision or correctness. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in diverse contexts. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and academic domains, the phrase serves to acknowledge limitations or uncertainties. When using "be less accurate", ensure that you quantify the potential error or provide context to avoid overstating the level of inaccuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be not entirely precise

This uses a double negative to convey a lack of complete exactness.

be somewhat inaccurate

This phrase suggests a moderate deviation from correctness.

contain inaccuracies

This phrase shifts the focus to the presence of errors within something.

lack precision

This alternative emphasizes the absence of exactness or detail.

be subject to error

This emphasizes the vulnerability to mistakes or inaccuracies.

fall short of perfect accuracy

This alternative highlights the failure to achieve complete correctness.

deviate from the true value

Highlights a departure from an established or expected correct value.

have a margin of error

This phrase introduces the concept of permissible deviation.

lose some fidelity

This suggests a degradation in the faithfulness of representation.

be off by a certain amount

This alternative focuses on the quantifiable difference from the correct value.

FAQs

How can I use "be less accurate" in a sentence?

You can use "be less accurate" to describe a situation where precision is reduced, for example, "These measurements may "be less accurate" due to environmental factors."

What is a good alternative to "be less accurate"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "lack precision", "be somewhat inaccurate", or "fall short of perfect accuracy".

When is it appropriate to say something might "be less accurate"?

It's appropriate when acknowledging potential limitations or sources of error in data, models, or estimations. For instance, "Estimates tend to "be less accurate" among older patients."

What's the difference between ""be less accurate"" and "be incorrect"?

"Be less accurate" implies a deviation from a precise value, whereas "be incorrect" suggests a complete departure from the truth or fact. "Be less accurate" allows for some level of correctness, but "be incorrect" does not.