generally accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is mostly correct or true, but may not be completely accurate in all cases. Example: "The article gave a generally accurate account of the event, but there were a few details that were slightly off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nonetheless, NATO officials have said those numbers are generally accurate.

The New York Times

But its profit predictions are generally accurate and the dividend yield is 5%.

The Guardian - Business

While his narrative is generally accurate, his analysis suffers from some problems.

The New York Times - Books

By contrast, the national polls before last Tueday's contests turned out to be generally accurate.

The New York Times

Google shows the reader a scanned version of the page; it is generally accurate and readable.

The New Yorker

Even more interesting, our first impressions of others are generally accurate and reliable.

Harvard Business Review

It is still regarded by many people, even in the literate Western world, as a generally accurate likeness.

The New Yorker

TMZ has a complicated role in the Hollywood milieu, given that the site is generally accurate — but often anonymously sourced.

The New York Times

Generally, accurate modelling of electrical machines requires the use of finite-element method.

Mathematics and Computers in Simulation

Generally, accurate attitude measurements are obtained using accelerometer and magnetometer, but at low frequencies movements.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Skocpol's discussion of the Clinton plan itself and the reasoning behind it is generally accurate and even sympathetic.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally accurate" when you want to convey that information is mostly correct but may contain minor inaccuracies. This softens the claim and avoids overstating the certainty of the information.

Common error

Avoid using "generally accurate" when describing something that is known to be significantly flawed or unreliable. In such cases, opt for phrases like "partially accurate" or "somewhat correct" to better reflect the true level of accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally accurate" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something is mostly correct, but not entirely so. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for expressing an assessment of approximate correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generally accurate" is a useful qualifier when you want to express that something is mostly correct but may contain minor inaccuracies. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. It's frequently used in news, scientific, and academic contexts, signifying a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Remember to use alternatives like "mostly correct" or "largely true" when you need a slightly different nuance. Be cautious not to overstate accuracy; if something is known to be significantly flawed, other phrases might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly correct

Emphasizes the prevalence of correctness but acknowledges potential inaccuracies.

largely true

Focuses on the overall truthfulness with allowance for minor errors.

accurate for the most part

Highlights the accuracy while admitting some exceptions may exist.

substantially correct

Implies a significant level of accuracy, with a few possible discrepancies.

fairly precise

Suggests a good level of precision, but not necessarily perfect.

on the whole accurate

Indicates that the overall accuracy is good, despite any small inaccuracies.

mainly exact

Focuses on the overall exactness with allowance for minor errors.

typically precise

Denotes accuracy as the typical case but doesn't exclude occasional imprecision.

ordinarily right

Suggests correctness is the norm, although deviations can occur.

commonly correct

Highlights the usual correctness while acknowledging potential exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "generally accurate" in a sentence?

You can use "generally accurate" to describe something that is mostly correct but might have some minor inaccuracies. For example, "The historical account was "generally accurate", though a few dates were off."

What are some alternatives to saying "generally accurate"?

Alternatives to "generally accurate" include "mostly correct", "largely true", or "accurate for the most part". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "generally accurate" or "completely accurate"?

"Generally accurate" implies some minor inaccuracies may exist, while "completely accurate" suggests there are no errors whatsoever. Use "completely accurate" only when you are certain of absolute correctness; otherwise, "generally accurate" is a more cautious and appropriate choice.

What's the difference between "generally accurate" and "relatively accurate"?

"Generally accurate" implies a high degree of correctness with only minor deviations. "Relatively accurate" suggests accuracy is being compared to something else, implying that while it may not be perfect, it is more accurate than another point of reference.