error-prone

USAGE SUMMARY

"error-prone" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is likely or prone to error, or has the potential to cause many errors. For example, "Organizing a large event with many stakeholders can be an error-prone process, but with the right precautions, any mistakes can be minimized."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Minds are slow, noisy, error-prone, but highly intelligent.

The Guardian - Books

Back then, Williams was rusty and error-prone.

The New York Times - Sports

A CENTURY later, the rascaldom and error-prone systems persist.

The New York Times

Humans are "an incredibly error-prone species," Dr. Nielsen said.

The New York Times - Science

Error-prone scoring can lead to false failures.

The New York Times

The legislators called the system unreliable and error-prone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Joost is Error Prone [NewTeeVee].

TechCrunch

Electronic voting machines are less error prone, while punch cards remember Florida?—are most error prone.

TechCrunch

error prone polymerase chain reaction.

AMB Express

This is time-consuming, and error prone.

Journal of Systems and Software

Such estimates are often error prone [7].

Journal of Cloud Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or processes, use "error-prone" to clearly communicate the potential for mistakes, prompting preventative measures.

Common error

Avoid using "error-prone" when a system has safeguards. Instead, acknowledge the inherent risk but highlight mitigating features.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "error-prone" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a high likelihood of errors. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing systems, processes, and even individuals as being susceptible to mistakes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective phrase "error-prone" is used to describe something or someone that is likely to make errors. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used in both scientific and news contexts. When writing, remember that there may be an overstatement of risk associated to this term when safeguards are present. Some alternatives include "unreliable", "fallible" and "prone to mistakes". Ludwig's examples show the broad applicability of "error-prone" across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to mistakes

Directly indicates a tendency to make mistakes.

fallible

Stresses the capability of making mistakes.

unreliable

Focuses on the lack of dependability or consistency.

liable to err

Explicitly states the likelihood of making errors.

faulty

Emphasizes a defect or flaw causing unreliability.

inaccurate

Focuses on the lack of correctness or precision.

flawed

Highlights the presence of imperfections affecting accuracy.

defective

Implies a significant flaw that impairs functionality.

imperfect

Highlights the presence of flaws and deviation from an ideal state.

unsound

Suggests a lack of solidity or reliability in performance.

FAQs

How can I use "error-prone" in a sentence?

You can use "error-prone" to describe processes, systems, or even people that are likely to make mistakes. For instance, "Manual data entry is an "error-prone" process".

What are some alternatives to "error-prone"?

Alternatives include "unreliable", "fallible", or "prone to mistakes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "error-prone" or "mistake-prone"?

Both "error-prone" and "mistake-prone" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning, although "error-prone" is slightly more common in formal writing.

What's the difference between "error-prone" and "faulty"?

"Error-prone" suggests a tendency to make mistakes, while "faulty" implies a defect or malfunction. Something "faulty" may be inherently broken, while something "error-prone" may simply be susceptible to human or system errors.