cannot be precise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be precise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or statements where exactness or accuracy is not achievable. Example: "Due to the complexity of the issue, our predictions cannot be precise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

You cannot be precise about these things, but at least you can recognise the social and environmental peril of too narrow a focus on profit.That is a perfectly reasonable line of argument or it would be, if a narrow focus on profit really did endanger the environment, systematically infringe the rights of workers and stakeholders, and in general fail to serve the public interest.

The Economist

About how beliefs may alter attitudes Stevenson cannot be precise, given the complexity of the phenomena.

SEP

It is a study limitation that we cannot be precise about this.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

If that's Greek to the lay person, it's not because consciousness cannot be precise and technical.

Huffington Post

We considered any changes in length less than 0.3 μm between consecutive time points as zero movement or 'static' periods because manual segmentation cannot be precise enough to reliably account for such a small retraction or extension.

eLife

The analyses laid out in Devlin et al. (28) cannot be precise when predicting the number of loci with common variants of modest impact on risk (0.8< risk <1.2); the modelling is consistent with a range of loci from zero to many thousands.

Human Molecular Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As relatively few miRNA target sites have been functionally validated, such predictors cannot yet be precise, and discovery must continually be re-run on the entire database as new miRNAs are discovered and new binding sites validated.

Plosone

Measuring it cannot hope to be precise.

The New York Times

(IT-Fr) 10. "In a structured report, one should be more precise than in a prose report, and sometimes we cannot be more precise.

Insights into Imaging

By characterizing our definition as sufficiently precise, we want to point out that it obviously cannot be perfectly precise.

BMC Medical Ethics

Mr. Asness and Ms. Casscells estimate that, calculated this way, the median ratio from 1871 through 2003 is around 11. (They cannot be more precise because data on analyst projections is incomplete for some long-ago years).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be precise", ensure the context clearly explains why precision is unattainable. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be precise" as a blanket statement to excuse a lack of effort in data collection or analysis. Always strive for the highest possible degree of accuracy, acknowledging limitations only when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be precise" functions as a modal phrase expressing an inability or limitation. It indicates that achieving exactness or accuracy is not possible in a given situation. This is supported by Ludwig's examples which show its use in contexts where data is incomplete or methodologies have inherent limitations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

27%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be precise" is a grammatically sound expression used to acknowledge limitations in achieving accuracy or exactness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, noting that it's often found in scientific and news-related contexts. While alternative phrases like "unable to be exact" exist, the key is to use the phrase thoughtfully, avoiding it as a substitute for diligence in seeking accurate information. Understanding its nuance ensures clear communication when absolute precision is unattainable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to be exact

Replaces "precise" with "exact", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

difficult to ascertain accurately

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving accurate determination.

hard to determine with certainty

Highlights the challenge in establishing something with complete certainty.

impossible to define sharply

Focuses on the inability to create a clear and distinct definition.

lacking in specificity

Indicates a general absence of detailed information.

not susceptible to accurate measurement

Emphasizes that something is not easily measured with accuracy.

incapable of pinpoint accuracy

Highlights the impossibility of achieving highly accurate results.

defies exact calculation

Suggests that precise calculation is not possible.

resistant to precise quantification

Focuses on the resistance to being quantified accurately.

not amenable to precise definition

Indicates that something is not easily or suitably defined with precision.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot be precise"?

Use "cannot be precise" when acknowledging limitations in accuracy or exactness due to inherent constraints, such as complex variables or incomplete data. For example, "Due to the limitations of the available data, our estimates "cannot be precise"".

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot be precise"?

Alternatives include phrases like "unable to be exact", "difficult to ascertain accurately", or "hard to determine with certainty", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "cannot be precise" grammatically correct?

Yes, "cannot be precise" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules, using the modal verb "cannot" to indicate impossibility and the adjective "precise" to describe the quality that is unattainable.

What's the difference between "cannot be precise" and "should not be precise"?

"Cannot be precise" indicates an inability to achieve accuracy, whereas "should not be precise" suggests that accuracy is undesirable or unnecessary in a given context. The former is about limitation, the latter about deliberate choice.