could be erroneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be erroneous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of an error or mistake in information, data, or a statement. Example: "The results of the experiment could be erroneous due to a lack of proper controls."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Accordingly, the estimated CPD values and ensuing geothermal gradients and heat flows by Abraham et al. ([2014]) could be erroneous.

Geothermal Energy

This means that any particle-based estimate will be dominated by the influence of a few of the particles, and the estimate could be erroneous.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Without this correction applied to GCM data, which then is used in local hydrologic or ecological models, the results could be erroneous, resulting in the over or under estimation of the climatic variables.

Ecological Processes

The genetic testing company has never claimed to make prescriptive judgements regarding user health, but many argue that information it provides about potential genetic illnesses could provoke extreme reactions from customers, including taking preventative steps like advance mastectomies, based on information that could be erroneous or not fully contextualized.

TechCrunch

It has been argued that a video quality estimation merely based on the amount of impaired macroblocks could be erroneous as, in modern video decoders, some error concealment methods are applied to cure the impaired macroblocks and this concealment is not accounted for in such estimations.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

vi) Errors in the extrapolation procedure between LiDAR flight paths and the wider region in RS3, in particular the prediction of low biomass values at high elevation areas in the north, and the lack of high biomass values in the densest forest areas, could be erroneous.

Carbon Balance and Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Consequently, the CPD values reported in the paper could likely be erroneous.

Geothermal Energy

However categorization of other proteins under the categories of PTI and/or ETI could prove to be erroneous without further experimentation.

BMC Genomics

"Nothing could be more erroneous", he says, "than to regard all attempts to make Israeli society an open, liberal and secular society as an attack on Zionist objectives".

The Economist

Nothing could be more erroneous.

Forbes

However, the prevalence values of Entamoeba histolytica infection could be completely erroneous since the estimations were performed prior to the molecular characterization of E. histolytica and E. dispar species.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be erroneous", ensure the context clearly indicates what the potential source of the error is. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "could be erroneous" when you have strong evidence of an actual error. In such cases, a more direct statement like "is incorrect" or "is flawed" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be erroneous" functions as a modal hedge, softening a claim by expressing a possibility rather than a certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something might contain errors, but doesn't definitively state it as fact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be erroneous" is a useful phrase to indicate the possibility of errors without making a definitive statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in science and news media, to express caution and avoid overstatement. When using the phrase, be sure to provide context as to why something might be erroneous to improve clarity. Also, consider whether a more direct statement is appropriate if you possess strong evidence of an actual error. By using "could be erroneous" thoughtfully, you can communicate uncertainty effectively while maintaining credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be incorrect

Replaces "could" with "might" and "erroneous" with "incorrect", offering a slightly less formal tone.

may be inaccurate

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "erroneous" with "inaccurate", maintaining a similar level of formality but with a focus on precision.

might be flawed

Replaces "could" with "might" and "erroneous" with "flawed", suggesting a defect or imperfection.

may be mistaken

Replaces "could" with "may" and "erroneous" with "mistaken", highlighting the possibility of a misunderstanding or error in judgment.

could be fallacious

Substitutes "erroneous" with "fallacious", emphasizing the deceptive or misleading nature of the information.

might prove untrue

Replaces "erroneous" with "untrue", focusing on the lack of truth or factual basis.

could turn out false

Emphasizes the eventual discovery of the error, adding a temporal dimension.

may not be correct

Uses a negative construction to express doubt about the correctness, softening the statement.

potentially incorrect

Condenses the phrase into an adverb-adjective combination for brevity.

possibly wrong

Uses more informal language to convey the idea of a potential error.

FAQs

How can I use "could be erroneous" in a sentence?

Use "could be erroneous" to suggest a possibility of error, not a certainty. For example, "The data collected during the initial phase "could be erroneous" due to equipment malfunction."

What are some alternatives to "could be erroneous"?

Alternatives include "might be incorrect", "may be inaccurate", or "might be flawed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of uncertainty you want to convey.

When is it better to say "is incorrect" instead of "could be erroneous"?

Use "is incorrect" when you are confident that there is a definite error. Use "could be erroneous" when you suspect an error but do not have definitive proof.

What is the difference between "could be erroneous" and "is misleading"?

"Could be erroneous" suggests a potential for factual inaccuracy. "Is misleading" implies that something is presented in a way that is likely to cause misunderstanding, even if technically correct. The phrase "could be erroneous" focusses on the validity of something while "is misleading" focuses on if something is deceiving.