fairly precise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly precise" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is somewhat exact, but not completely accurate or precise. Example: The measurement I took of the room's dimensions is fairly precise, but I may need to remeasure to get a more accurate number.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moving an individual skittle around required fairly precise construction.

Cornell University

We were also able to establish fairly precise statistical relationships.

Harvard Business Review

The establishment of a fairly precise orthodoxy led to a perhaps unprecedented recourse to creeds.

Britannica

Also, the menu has fairly precise English translations of each dish.

The New York Times

Mr. Lockhart seems fairly precise in describing the president's stamina, however.

The New York Times

The presence of the nebula allows a fairly precise determination of the central star's evolution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Results of this modelling give fairly precise predictions of grain size and grain misorientation distribution.

Acta Materialia

A proposition page cannot grow until the wording of its proposition is fairly precise and fairly settled.

Harvard University

We tried to articulate in a fairly precise sense what we meant by the notion of civil punishment.

Yale University

We heard a whoosh in the sky then there was a large and fairly precise explosion just beyond the castle.

The Guardian

The accuracy of the evaluation method was illustrated by numerical experiments, indicating that the method is fairly precise.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data or measurements, use "fairly precise" to indicate that the results are accurate enough for the purpose at hand, but not necessarily perfect. This acknowledges potential limitations without undermining the value of the information.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly precise" when the situation requires absolute accuracy. In contexts like scientific experiments or legal documents, where even small errors can have significant consequences, more definitive language might be needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly precise" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating a degree of accuracy or exactness. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe something that isn't perfectly exact but is close enough for the intended purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly precise" is a commonly used phrase that indicates a level of accuracy or exactness that is reasonable but not absolute. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears across a variety of contexts, including science, news, and academic writing. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure that the level of precision implied is appropriate. Alternatives such as "moderately accurate" or "reasonably exact" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overstating precision in situations where absolute accuracy is critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably exact

Implies a degree of exactness that is within acceptable limits, with "reasonable" replacing "fairly".

relatively accurate

Highlights accuracy in comparison to something else, shifting the focus from inherent precision.

moderately accurate

Suggests a level of accuracy that is average or reasonable, differing in emphasis from precision.

adequately precise

Suggests a level of precision that is sufficient for a specific purpose, which changes the implication from general precision.

somewhat exact

Indicates a lesser degree of exactness than "fairly precise", using "somewhat" to soften the claim.

largely correct

Indicates that most aspects are correct, which could differ in focus from precision to general validity.

substantially correct

Focuses on correctness rather than precision, implying that the main details are right.

near-accurate

Combining "near" and "accurate" to indicate something almost accurate, which affects fluency compared to "fairly precise".

approaching accuracy

Indicates a movement toward accuracy, but not necessarily achieving it fully, less direct than "fairly precise".

pretty close

Offers a more informal way to express approximate correctness or accuracy, being less formal than "fairly precise".

FAQs

How can I use "fairly precise" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly precise" to describe measurements, estimates, or descriptions that are reasonably accurate but not perfectly exact. For example, "The surveyor provided a "fairly precise" measurement of the property lines."

What are some alternatives to saying "fairly precise"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "moderately accurate", "reasonably exact", or "relatively accurate" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "fairly precise" or "very precise"?

"Fairly precise" suggests a lower degree of accuracy than "very precise". Use "fairly precise" when you want to indicate that something is reasonably accurate but not perfectly so. If you want to indicate higher accuracy, use "very precise".

Can "fairly precise" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "fairly precise" can describe abstract concepts, such as plans or estimations, where complete accuracy isn't expected. For instance, "The project manager developed a "fairly precise" timeline for the project."