imprecise forecast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imprecise forecast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing predictions or estimates that lack accuracy or clarity. Example: "The imprecise forecast for the upcoming weather has left many people unprepared for the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

Journal of Hydrology

BBC

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

The New Yorker

The New York Times

Forbes

The Guardian - Business

Harvard University

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Global Environmental Change

HuffPost

Vice

Critical Care

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian - Sport

Princeton University

The New York Times - Tech

The Economist

The New York Times - Arts

The Washington Post

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The New York Times - Magazine

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, imprecise forecasting inflow may lead to output error and hinder implementation of power generation schedules.

Journal of Hydrology

That, many say, is a bigger tragedy than an imprecise monsoon forecast.

BBC

A robust minimax approach for optimal investment decisions with imprecise return forecasts and risk estimations in financial portfolio management is considered.

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

It is more likely, however, that these forecasts are imprecise and optimistic….

The New Yorker

The announcement gave a herky-jerky feel to the state's drought policies, which depend largely on the imprecise arts of weather forecasting and climatology.

The New York Times

Robust optimization models are presented and imprecise nature of moment forecasts to reduce the risk of making a decision based on the wrong scenario is addressed.

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

Needless to say, long-term weather forecasts are imprecise and uncertain; should weather be colder than normal, the market is likely to tighten more, and prices could top $5/Mcf for an extended period.

Forbes

Economic forecasting is necessarily imprecise: too many things happen for forecasters to be able to foresee all of them.

The Guardian - Business

Of course, climate-change science is imprecise, and the long-term forecasts that it generates can always be challenged.

The New Yorker

Geologists have a pretty good idea that earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, yet the art of earthquake forecasting remains notoriously imprecise.

The New York Times - Science

It's clear that the short-term forecasts can be imprecise when they look beyond 1 day, sometimes missing the mark by several feet and tending to under predict water levels.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the potential impact of forecasts, clearly state the degree of imprecision to manage expectations and encourage contingency planning. For instance, specify if the "imprecise forecast" is due to data limitations or inherent unpredictability in the system being modeled.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "imprecise forecast" as a definitive prediction. Overstating confidence can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of preparedness for alternative outcomes. Always acknowledge the limitations and potential for error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imprecise forecast" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'imprecise' modifies 'forecast'. It describes the quality of the forecast, indicating a lack of exactness or accuracy. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "imprecise forecast" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe a prediction lacking exactness or accuracy, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adjective-noun combination to communicate uncertainty or limitations associated with a prediction. While used across various domains, it appears more frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, manage expectations and acknowledge potential deviations. Consider alternatives like "uncertain forecast" or "approximate forecast" depending on the context. Avoid overstating confidence in "imprecise forecast" to prevent misinformed decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inaccurate prediction

Replaces 'imprecise' with 'inaccurate', emphasizing the lack of correctness in the forecast.

uncertain forecast

Substitutes 'imprecise' with 'uncertain', highlighting the doubt and lack of confidence in the prediction.

unreliable forecast

Replaces 'imprecise' with 'unreliable', focusing on the forecast's inconsistency and untrustworthiness.

approximate forecast

Uses 'approximate' instead of 'imprecise', suggesting the forecast is a rough estimate rather than an exact calculation.

rough estimate

Replaces the entire phrase to indicate a forecast that is not precise or detailed.

fallible prediction

Uses 'fallible' to emphasize that the forecast is prone to error or failure.

tentative projection

Replaces 'forecast' with 'projection' and uses 'tentative' to convey uncertainty and lack of definiteness.

speculative outlook

Replaces 'forecast' with 'outlook' and uses 'speculative' to emphasize the forecast is based on conjecture rather than solid evidence.

ambiguous forecast

Substitutes 'imprecise' with 'ambiguous', highlighting the lack of clarity in the forecast.

vague prediction

Replaces 'imprecise' with 'vague', suggesting the forecast is lacking in detail and specificity.

FAQs

How can I use "imprecise forecast" in a sentence?

You might say, "Due to limited data, the weather service issued an "imprecise forecast" for the region," or "The company's financial planning suffered because it relied on an "imprecise forecast" of market trends."

What are some alternatives to "imprecise forecast"?

Consider using alternatives like "uncertain forecast", "approximate forecast", or "rough estimate" depending on the context.

What makes a forecast "imprecise"?

An "imprecise forecast" typically arises from limitations in data, the complexity of the system being modeled, or inherent unpredictability. Factors such as incomplete information or chaotic variables can contribute to imprecision.

In what fields is the concept of an "imprecise forecast" particularly relevant?

The concept is relevant in fields such as meteorology, economics, finance, and project management, where predictions are made based on complex models and incomplete data, leading to varying degrees of imprecision.