deceptive numbers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deceptive numbers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to statistics or figures that mislead or distort the truth. Example: "The report presented deceptive numbers that exaggerated the company's profits, leading investors to make uninformed decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"These are deceptive numbers".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

An entirely mischievous and deceptive number, Democratic strategists retort, because it is distorted by the unusually large convention bounce that Bill Clinton received in 1992 -- a result, in large part, due to the withdrawal from the race that same week of Ross Perot.

The New York Times

The answer to the deceptive voter registration numbers lie, in part, with Louisiana's unique "jungle primary" system used in local, state and congressional elections, but not presidential elections.

The New York Times

Suffice it to say that once the NRA digs into its $300 million budget for a spate of deceptive ads, the number of people who support background checks might drop, maybe from 90percentto70percentcent, but still a solid super majority!

Huffington Post

The number of putts per round is also a deceptive measure, because that number tends to go up as greens in regulation (G.I.R).

The New York Times - Sports

Those numbers are deceptive, however.

The New York Times

Jeff Long, the newly named athletic director at Pittsburgh, said graduation numbers were deceptive.

The New York Times - Sports

The budget deficit in 2011 will be 4% of GDP, against 6% in France.Yet these reassuring numbers are deceptive.

The Economist

Mr. Miller says the numbers are deceptive mainly because there has been so much construction in the area.

The New York Times

This is why some economic commentators are fretting that the economic gains of a whole generation have been wiped out by the recent financial crisis.But these numbers are deceptive.

The Economist

COSCE's report sought to raise the alarm about the phenomenon, but the scientific community has long been aware that the numbers were deceptive, says Luis Sanz-Menéndez Sanz-Menéndezthe CSIC Institute of Public Goodirectoroficies in Madrid and chair of the CSIC Institute of Public GoodsechnologicandPoliciesf the Organination for EconoMadrid-operandon and Development.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deceptive numbers", clearly explain how the numbers are misleading and what the true underlying facts are. Provide context and analysis to expose the deception.

Common error

Avoid blindly accepting numerical data without critical evaluation. Always question the source, methodology, and potential biases that could lead to "deceptive numbers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deceptive numbers" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "deceptive" modifies the noun "numbers", indicating that the numbers are misleading or intended to create a false impression. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deceptive numbers" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to numerical data designed to mislead. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, to highlight potential manipulation or misrepresentation. While not extremely frequent, understanding its nuances and related phrases like "misleading statistics" or "false figures" is crucial for critical evaluation of information. Always question the source and context to avoid being misled by "deceptive numbers".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misleading statistics

Replaces "numbers" with "statistics", emphasizing the statistical nature of the data while retaining the sense of being misleading.

false figures

Substitutes "deceptive" with "false" and "numbers" with "figures", indicating inaccuracy rather than intentional deception.

skewed data

Focuses on the distortion of the data, suggesting a bias or imbalance that leads to a misleading interpretation.

manipulated numbers

Emphasizes the active alteration of the numbers to create a false impression.

distorted statistics

Similar to "skewed data", but emphasizes the statistical nature of the distortion.

inaccurate figures

Highlights the lack of accuracy in the figures, suggesting a deviation from the true values.

unreliable data

Focuses on the lack of reliability of the data, indicating that it cannot be trusted.

misrepresented numbers

Indicates that the numbers have been presented in a way that distorts their true meaning.

fabricated figures

Suggests that the figures have been completely invented or falsified.

illusory statistics

Emphasizes that the statistics create an illusion or false impression.

FAQs

How can I identify "deceptive numbers" in a report?

Look for inconsistencies, missing context, or unusual spikes or drops in data. Cross-reference the data with other reliable sources and question any numbers that seem too good to be true. Also, be aware of "cherry picking" of data.

What are some alternatives to "deceptive numbers"?

You can use phrases like "misleading statistics", "false figures", or "skewed data" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do "deceptive numbers" impact decision-making?

"Deceptive numbers" can lead to poor decisions based on inaccurate information. This can have serious consequences in areas such as finance, healthcare, and public policy. Always verify the data before making critical decisions.

What is the difference between "deceptive numbers" and "inaccurate figures"?

"Deceptive numbers" implies an intent to mislead, while "inaccurate figures" may simply be the result of errors or poor methodology. The former suggests deliberate manipulation, while the latter may be unintentional.