false positive

USAGE SUMMARY

'false positive' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically two words, but in some cases, it may be hyphenated as 'false-positive'. It is usually used in the medical, scientific and statistical contexts and is defined as an incorrect result, usually in a medical test, that indicates a disease where the disease is not actually present. For example: "The doctor ran a test which returned a false positive, so further tests are necessary to confirm if the disease is actually present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

This is a false positive.

The New Yorker

The 2011 test was a false positive.

The New York Times - Health

The original test was a false positive".

Independent

It's never given a false positive.

The New York Times - Science

"It gave us a false positive.

The New York Times

That first screen was a false positive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

No false-positive resistance SNPs were called.

Nature

No false-positive results were achieved.

Molecular and Cellular Probes

False-positive error rate was <5%.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

He cautioned that PCR tests can generate false-positive results.

The Guardian

From docking false-positive to active anti-HIV agent.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing diagnostic tests or data analysis, clearly state the "false positive" rate to provide a balanced perspective on the test's reliability.

Common error

Avoid interchanging "false positive" and "false negative". A "false positive" indicates a condition is present when it's not, while a "false negative" means a condition is absent when it's actually present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false positive" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe an incorrect result. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, such as medical testing and data analysis, aligning with its primary function of identifying errors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "false positive" is a commonly used term, particularly in scientific, medical, and statistical contexts, to describe an incorrect result that indicates the presence of something that is not actually there. Grammatically correct, it functions as a noun phrase and serves the purpose of identifying errors in detection or diagnosis. According to Ludwig, its usage spans diverse fields, from medicine to computer science, highlighting its importance in clarifying inaccuracies. While primarily formal, it also appears in news media, signifying its relevance to a broader audience. Understanding the nuances of "false positive" is crucial to prevent misinterpretations and ensure appropriate actions are taken based on reliable information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false alarm

Emphasizes the aspect of an alert or warning being incorrect.

mistaken positive

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the error in the positive finding.

pseudo-positive

A more technical term for something that appears positive but is not.

erroneous identification

Highlights the mistake in recognizing or labeling something.

inaccurate positive finding

Specifies that the positive result is not accurate.

incorrect detection

Focuses on the error in sensing or finding something.

unfounded positive result

Indicates that there's no solid basis for the positive finding.

spurious result

Indicates that the result is not genuine or valid.

misidentification

Highlights the act of identifying something wrongly.

artificial positive signal

Suggests that the positive signal is created or induced, not naturally occurring.

FAQs

How is "false positive" used in medical contexts?

In medicine, a "false positive" refers to a test result that incorrectly indicates a disease or condition is present when it is not. This can lead to unnecessary anxiety and further testing. For example, a screening test might return a "false positive" result for cancer.

What's the difference between a "false positive" and a "false negative"?

A "false positive" indicates the presence of something that is not actually there, while a "false negative" indicates the absence of something that is actually there. Understanding the difference is crucial in fields like medicine and data analysis to avoid misinterpretations.

Can you provide an example of a "false positive" outside of medicine?

Yes, in computer security, a "false positive" can occur when an antivirus program identifies a safe file as malware. In statistical analysis, a "false positive" can occur when a researcher incorrectly concludes there is a relationship between two variables.

What are some alternatives to saying "false positive"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "false alarm", "erroneous identification", or "spurious result". These alternatives emphasize different aspects of the error.