be subject to error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be subject to error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of mistakes or inaccuracies in a process, statement, or system. Example: "The data collected from the survey may be subject to error due to the small sample size."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The articles are revealing in their listing of qualifications and limitations: The original studies rely on self-report questionnaires, so can be subject to error and bias.

The Washington Post

The science of forecasting storms, while continually improving, still can be subject to error, especially if we're on the edge of the heavy precipitation shield.

The Washington Post

Eleven of them indicated by αj were assumed to be subject to error; four of them indicated by βj were assumed to be free of error.

Chemical Engineering Science

Quantitative palaeoglaciological studies that use digital surface models (DSMs) may be subject to error because former glacier beds are not always accurately represented.

Geomorphology

Speaking on the CBS News program "Face the Nation," he added that there were "no uniform standards, no objective standards, simply no standards to guide these elected officials" in the hand recounts, which he said would be subject to error or mischief.

The New York Times

51Cr-EDTA-clearance is laboratory-intensive and time consuming.23 The measured 24 h creatinine clearance is widely used but may be subject to error because of the inherent difficulty in collecting a 24 h urine specimen and laboratory error involved in measuring serum and urinary creatinine concentrations.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It may be subject to errors in data reported by the schools, and to differences in schools that cannot be measured by methods used by The Times.

The New York Times

In addition, it could be argued that instant tag population estimation may be subject to errors.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Measurement may be subject to errors if the member of staff responsible has other duties as well.

Gynecological Surgery

However, recent studies suggested that genetic maps might be subject to errors, potentially confounding genome assemblies.

GigaScience

Even for experts, intuitive evaluation of needs may be subject to errors [ 16].

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be subject to error", clearly specify what is prone to mistakes. For example, instead of saying 'The process can be subject to error', specify 'The data collection process can be subject to error due to manual input'.

Common error

Avoid using "be subject to error" in overly broad statements without providing context. Saying 'All systems are subject to error' is less informative than explaining the specific errors a system might encounter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be subject to error" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of something being prone to mistakes or inaccuracies. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be subject to error" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote the potential for mistakes or inaccuracies in a given context. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across scientific, news, and formal business domains, indicating a neutral to formal register. While not exceedingly frequent, its presence in reputable sources underscores its validity and utility. Related phrases like "be prone to error" and "be liable to error" offer similar nuances, and specific guidance ensures clear and effective application of the phrase in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be prone to error

Indicates a natural tendency or susceptibility to making mistakes.

be liable to error

Suggests a legal or probable risk of making mistakes.

be susceptible to error

Highlights vulnerability or openness to being mistaken.

be open to errors

Emphasizes accessibility and lack of protection from errors.

be vulnerable to inaccuracies

Focuses on the potential for factual errors.

run the risk of error

Highlights the possibility of encountering error.

be at risk of error

Focuses on the potential danger or negative consequences associated with mistakes.

be inclined to err

Suggests a predisposition or habit of making mistakes.

be fallible

A more concise and general statement of being capable of making mistakes.

be imperfect

Broader term indicating a lack of perfection, implying potential for errors.

FAQs

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

You can use "be subject to error" to indicate that something is prone to mistakes or inaccuracies. For example, "The results of the experiment may "be subject to error" due to variations in environmental conditions."

What's the difference between "be subject to error" and "be prone to error"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, ""be subject to error"" is generally used to describe a possibility, while "be prone to error" suggests a higher likelihood or tendency for errors to occur.

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

You can use alternatives like "be liable to error", "be vulnerable to inaccuracies", or "be open to errors" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "be subject to error" or "be subject to errors"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct; however, ""be subject to error"" is more commonly used in a general sense, whereas "be subject to errors" might be used when referring to specific, identified mistakes.