dubious accuracy

USAGE SUMMARY

"dubious accuracy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing information or data that is questionable or unreliable. Example: The report was criticized for its dubious accuracy regarding the statistics presented. Alternative expressions include "questionable accuracy" and "doubtful accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Too easy, and in this case of dubious accuracy.

The New York Times - Arts

But it was the tactic itself, rather than any dubious accuracy, that was the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Natural History, encyclopaedic scientific work of dubious accuracy by Pliny the Elder, completed in 77 ce as Naturae historiae and conventionally known as Naturalis historia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

More factoid than fact, a claim of unknown provenance and dubious accuracy, the idea sticks around because of the enduring appeal of its underlying premise.

The New York Times - Books

Although you wisely note that the zeal for scoops may lead to inaccuracy, you should also warn that it leads reporters to court leakers and ignore the leakers' often tawdry motives and dubious accuracy in gratitude for the scoop.

The New York Times

This time it was so obviously, demonstratively false, that it cut through the usual stink cloud of dubious accuracy that hovers over Fox at all times, and caused international outrage as opposed to just tweaking American liberals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Some political scientists are openly dubious about the accuracy of Bueno de Mesquita's model.

The New York Times - Magazine

While the internet provides ample opportunities for exploration and retrieval of information, much of what is online is of dubious origin and accuracy.

WikiHow

A nice story, but as noted with admirable candor in a booklet I picked up at Leiden's tourist office, "its accuracy is dubious, since the annals show that Van der Werf had to be dissuaded from opening the gates to the Spaniards on more than one occasion".

The New York Times - Travel

We show here that the study by Barthélémy et al. [ 1] relies on a set of evidence whose accuracy is dubious.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

If Waxman and Holson had written their article in their own voice, eschewing all blind quotes and meaningless attributions and making only the assertions they were confident were true, we could hold someone responsible for the accuracy: not the dubious sources, but the writers themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "dubious accuracy", always provide context explaining why the accuracy is in question. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid presenting information with "dubious accuracy" as fact. Qualify your statements and acknowledge the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious accuracy" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It is used to describe the quality of something (typically information, data, or a report) as having questionable or suspect correctness. Ludwig shows several examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious accuracy" is a commonly used phrase to describe information or data that is questionable or unreliable. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. When using this phrase, it is best to provide context to justify your skepticism and avoid presenting such information as definitively true. Alternatives include "questionable precision" and "doubtful correctness".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable precision

Focuses on the lack of exactness or correctness.

doubtful correctness

Highlights the uncertainty regarding whether something is right or true.

uncertain reliability

Emphasizes the lack of dependability or trustworthiness.

suspect veracity

Indicates a reason to believe something might not be entirely honest or truthful.

tenuous validity

Suggests the basis for something being true or legitimate is weak.

dubitable exactness

Similar to questionable precision but uses a less common word for "doubtful".

unconfirmed authenticity

Focuses on the lack of verification regarding genuineness.

contested dependability

Highlights that the reliability of something is being challenged.

problematic fidelity

Emphasizes issues with the accuracy of reproduction or representation.

unreliable data

A more direct way of saying that the information is not to be trusted.

FAQs

How can I use "dubious accuracy" in a sentence?

You can use "dubious accuracy" to describe information or data that is questionable or unreliable. For example: "The report was criticized for its "dubious accuracy" regarding the statistics presented."

What are some alternatives to "dubious accuracy"?

Alternatives include "questionable precision", "doubtful correctness", or "uncertain reliability" depending on the specific context.

Is "dubious accuracy" a formal or informal phrase?

"Dubious accuracy" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more appropriate for formal writing and discussions because it provides a clear and somewhat technical assessment.

What's the difference between "dubious accuracy" and "lack of accuracy"?

"Dubious accuracy" suggests that there is reason to suspect the information might not be accurate, while "lack of accuracy" is a more general statement about the absence of precision. "Dubious accuracy" implies there may be misleading elements present.