close to accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is nearly but not quite accurate. For example, "This translation is close to accurate, but there are still a few mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ford, GM and Chrysler employ close to 0.5m people.

The Economist

There are close to 200 Guantánamo inmates.

The New York Times

We have close to 300 animals.

The New York Times

Now the figure is close to 100.

The New York Times

I averaged close to 37 m.p.g.

The New York Times

Now it's ranked close to 400th.

The New York Times

Close to 200 guests packed the warehouse.

The New York Times - Magazine

Exports are worth close to £300 million.

The New York Times

Atmospheric pressure is close to 100,000 pascals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Norwalk has close to 70.

The New York Times

But nothing close to 36.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to accurate" when you want to acknowledge that something isn't perfectly precise but is still a good approximation.

Common error

Avoid using "close to accurate" when something is demonstrably incorrect. If significant errors exist, choose a more appropriate term like "partially accurate" or "questionable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to accurate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which something approximates accuracy. As supported by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to accurate" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is nearly, but not entirely, accurate. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it should be used judiciously and replaced with more specific terms when greater precision is needed. Alternatives include "nearly accurate", "almost accurate", and "substantially correct". Given its relative infrequency, writers might consider whether a more common phrase would better serve their purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly accurate

Replaces "close to" with "nearly", maintaining a similar degree of approximation.

almost accurate

Substitutes "close to" with "almost", indicating a slightly higher degree of accuracy.

approaching accuracy

Uses a more dynamic phrase, suggesting a movement toward accuracy.

largely accurate

Highlights that most aspects are accurate, even if minor details are not.

substantially correct

Emphasizes the degree of correctness rather than the proximity to accuracy.

relatively precise

Indicates a level of precision that is comparable to a similar metric.

accurate to a degree

Acknowledges a certain level of accuracy without specifying how close it is.

not entirely inaccurate

Uses a double negative to imply that it is mostly accurate.

vaguely accurate

Suggests a low level of accuracy, implying it's only slightly correct.

in the right ballpark

Uses an idiom to indicate that the accuracy is generally correct.

FAQs

How can I use "close to accurate" in a sentence?

You can use "close to accurate" to describe data, reports, translations or estimations that are not entirely correct but still quite precise. For example, "The weather forecast was "close to accurate", though it did underestimate the rainfall."

What's the difference between "close to accurate" and "perfectly accurate"?

"Close to accurate" implies a small margin of error, while "perfectly accurate" means there are no errors whatsoever. If you aim to say there are almost no errors, use ""close to accurate"". If there are really no errors use "perfectly accurate".

Are there formal alternatives to "close to accurate"?

Yes, alternatives such as "substantially correct" or "largely accurate" are more formal and can be used in professional or academic writing.

When should I avoid using "close to accurate"?

Avoid using "close to accurate" if the information in question contains significant errors or is misleading. In such cases, it would be more appropriate to say "partially accurate" or "somewhat accurate".