imprecise

USAGE SUMMARY

"imprecise" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not exact or detailed enough. For example: "The measurements given were imprecise, making it difficult to accurately determine the size of the object."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

TechCrunch's Josh Constine explains Instagram's issue: the site "has '300 million monthly users', but that's an imprecise statistic encompassing some who hardly check it.

The Guardian - Tech

She's been methodical, responsive, elusive, exact, polite, imprecise.

The Guardian - Business

They have been criticised for imprecise bombing and for a naval blockade which has stopped almost all fuel and food reaching the country.

The Economist

Much of the rest was mushy and imprecise.

The Economist

Economic tonic An imprecise catastrophe Slow bicycle race Paying through the mouse Slackers or pace-setters?

The Economist

Such an exercise is doomed to be imprecise.

The Economist

Measuring tree cover on a global scale is an imprecise science.

The Economist

This system has been contested by the Spanish right, but Spain's constitutional court has upheld the policy.Furthermore, you were imprecise about the financial architecture behind the Spanish system of autonomous communities.

The Economist

Their big, breezy thoughts made great, but imprecise reading.

The Economist

But many are now calling for an automatic alert to be sent in such circumstances, so that ground authorities know that they should start tracking the plane with conventional radar.The ACARS has at least provided information about the jet's continued path, albeit wildly imprecise.

The Economist

They were maverick, furious and stridently political, though sometimes wonderfully imprecise in their aim.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imprecise", specify the degree of imprecision and its potential impact to provide context and avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the level of imprecision. Instead of saying "completely imprecise", consider "somewhat imprecise" or "largely imprecise" for a more nuanced description.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "imprecise" functions primarily to qualify nouns by indicating a lack of exactness or clarity. Ludwig AI validates its common usage in diverse contexts. It serves to denote something that deviates from a precise or accurate standard, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "imprecise" is commonly used to describe something lacking exactness or clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While synonyms like "inexact" and "vague" offer similar meanings, it's important to specify the degree of imprecision to avoid misinterpretation. A common mistake is overstating imprecision, so nuanced descriptions are generally preferred. Overall, "imprecise" serves as a versatile term for acknowledging limitations in accuracy or detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inexact

Replaces "imprecise" with a synonym indicating a lack of precision.

vague

Substitutes "imprecise" with a term highlighting a lack of clarity or definition.

approximate

Indicates a near but not exact value or description.

loose

Suggests a lack of strictness or accuracy.

ambiguous

Emphasizes the possibility of multiple interpretations.

ill-defined

Highlights the lack of clear boundaries or characteristics.

unclear

Focuses on a lack of comprehensibility.

rough

Implies a lack of refinement or detail.

broad

Suggests a general but not detailed approach.

indefinite

Replaces "imprecise" by suggesting uncertainty of limits or extent.

FAQs

How can I use "imprecise" in a sentence?

You can use "imprecise" to describe data, measurements, statements, or methods that lack exactness. For example, "The data collected was somewhat imprecise due to the limitations of the equipment".

What are some synonyms for "imprecise"?

Alternatives to "imprecise" include "inexact", "vague", "approximate", or "loose", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to be precise or to be "imprecise"?

Precision is generally preferred for accuracy and clarity. However, sometimes being slightly "vague" or "imprecise" can be useful when dealing with estimates or forecasts where exact figures are impossible to obtain.

What's the difference between "imprecise" and "inaccurate"?

"Imprecise" means lacking exactness or detail, while "inaccurate" means containing mistakes or errors. Something can be "imprecise" without being necessarily "inaccurate", and vice versa.