imprecisely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imprecisely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is not exact or lacks precision. Example: "The data was imprecisely measured, leading to unreliable results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Amnesty is calling for the immediate release of Burmese human rights activist U Myint Aye, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in planning a bomb attack in the Shwepyitha Township in Yangon on 1 July 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imprecisely", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect lacks precision. For instance, specify whether it's a measurement, calculation, or description.

Common error

While "imprecisely" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less credible. Opt for more direct synonyms like "inaccurately" or "vaguely" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "imprecisely" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that an action is performed or a quality is possessed without exactness or precision. Although Ludwig has no examples of its direct usage, its function is well-established in English grammar.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "imprecisely" is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English to indicate a lack of precision. Ludwig confirms the validity of the phrase. However, due to its relative infrequency and lack of examples within the dataset, it's advisable to consider synonyms like "inaccurately" or "vaguely" for greater clarity or impact. When employing "imprecisely", ensure the context clarifies what aspect is lacking precision. Despite its correctness, mindful use will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inexactly

Replaces "imprecisely" with a synonym that emphasizes a lack of accuracy.

inaccurately

Directly states that something is wrong or incorrect, due to lack of precision.

vaguely

Indicates a lack of clarity or definition, similar to a lack of precision.

roughly

Suggests an approximation rather than an exact measurement or description.

loosely

Implies a lack of strictness or rigor, similar to a lack of precision.

approximately

Indicates an estimate or near value, instead of an exact one.

indistinctly

Focuses on the lack of clear boundaries or definition.

ambiguously

Highlights the potential for multiple interpretations, stemming from a lack of precision.

indefinitely

Suggests a lack of specified limits or boundaries.

unfaithfully

Implies a deviation from an original or accurate representation.

FAQs

How can I use "imprecisely" in a sentence?

Since I can't provide a clear usage of the term due to lack of examples, I suggest using it to describe actions or measurements lacking in precision. For example, "The data was "imprecisely" measured, leading to unreliable results."

What's a good synonym for "imprecisely"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you can use synonyms like "vaguely", "inaccurately", or "roughly".

Is it better to say "imprecisely measured" or "inaccurately measured"?

While both are acceptable, "inaccurately measured" implies a higher degree of error or incorrectness compared to ""imprecisely" measured".

Can "imprecisely" be used to describe someone's actions?

Yes, ""imprecisely"" can describe actions done without precision or care. For example, "He handled the fragile equipment "imprecisely", resulting in damage."