highly unreliable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly unreliable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very untrustworthy or not dependable. Example: "The data from that source is highly unreliable, so we should seek confirmation from other references."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Electricity in Nigeria is highly unreliable.

The New York Times

Her memory has been left highly unreliable.

The New York Times - Books

Gauci's evidence was, in any case, highly unreliable.

The Guardian

After all, testing methods for fat content are highly unreliable.

The New York Times

My own memory of names is highly unreliable.

Britannica

However, documenting and maintaining such traces remains highly unreliable.

Journal of Systems and Software

Moreover, wireless links among low-power radios are highly unreliable.

Computer Networks

These factors tend to make the Nino figures highly unreliable as measures of migration flows.

The Guardian

That kind of finding reinforces a long-standing psychological conviction: that most memories are highly unreliable.

The New Yorker

But both sides admit that their surveys are probably highly unreliable.

The New York Times

Assessment experts say the method is highly unreliable, but that hasn't deterred policymakers.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the intensity of the language. In some cases, a softer term like "unpredictable" might be more appropriate than "highly unreliable".

Common error

Avoid using "highly unreliable" as a blanket statement without providing concrete examples or data to support your assessment. Overstating the case can undermine your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly unreliable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a significant lack of dependability or trustworthiness. It serves to emphasize the extent to which something cannot be relied upon. As Ludwig AI confirms, its structure is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly unreliable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that indicates a significant lack of dependability. As Ludwig AI underlines, its main function is to modify a noun and express a strong sentiment of doubt about its accuracy or consistency. While it sees extensive use in News & Media and Science, the tone is typically neutral to slightly formal. When incorporating this expression into your own writing, it is advisable to offer supporting evidence and be mindful of your audience's preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incredibly unreliable

Slightly emphasizes the degree of unreliability compared to the original phrase.

extremely unreliable

Like 'incredibly', this phrase amplifies the extent of the unreliability.

eminently unreliable

Suggests that someone or something is clearly and undoubtedly unreliable.

very unreliable

A more straightforward and less emphatic way of expressing the same idea.

particularly unreliable

Highlights that the unreliability is noteworthy or stands out.

quite unreliable

Indicates a noticeable degree of unreliability, though not as strong as 'highly'.

decidedly unreliable

Suggests a clear and definite sense of unreliability.

thoroughly unreliable

Implies a complete and pervasive lack of reliability.

largely unreliable

Indicates that the unreliability is present in most aspects or instances.

mostly unreliable

Similar to 'largely', but may suggest a slightly smaller proportion of unreliability.

FAQs

How can I use "highly unreliable" in a sentence?

You can use "highly unreliable" to describe something untrustworthy or undependable, such as "The witness's testimony was "highly unreliable" due to inconsistencies" or "The weather forecast has been "highly unreliable" lately".

What are some alternatives to "highly unreliable"?

Alternatives include "very unreliable", "extremely unreliable", "incredibly unreliable", or "untrustworthy", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "unreliable" and "highly unreliable"?

"Unreliable" indicates a lack of dependability, while "highly unreliable" emphasizes a greater degree of untrustworthiness. The addition of "highly" intensifies the meaning.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "highly unreliable"?

It is appropriate to use "highly unreliable" in contexts where you need to strongly convey the lack of dependability of something, such as data, sources, equipment, or people's accounts.