least accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the accuracy of multiple items or statements, indicating the one that is the least precise or reliable. Example: "Among the various reports, this one is the least accurate representation of the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The experts the media most often consulted were also the least accurate.

TechCrunch

What's the least accurate thing about the show?

The New York Times

What media outlet had the least accurate predictions?

The New York Times

Tests for fecal occult blood are the most widely used, though the least accurate.

The New York Times - Health

The least accurate forecasting method was to infer probabilities from betting markets.

The Washington Post

Of all the well-realised characters, Roger seems the least accurate.

Independent

The winners are at least accurate reflections of what people are buying.

Independent

Participants' memory about page places was the least accurate in the list condition.

Computers in Human Behavior

Method SG is the least accurate but is the easiest to implement with lowest computation cost.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Private and grammar schools were the most accurate at predicting results and further education colleges the least accurate.

The Guardian

"Turns" is at least accurate and brings us fraternally close to circus performers – and that's fine by me.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple sources, use "least accurate" to clearly identify the one with the most errors or discrepancies. For example, "Among the weather forecasts, this model proved to be the "least accurate"."

Common error

Avoid using "least accurate" when referring to a single item without comparison. Instead of saying, "This statement is least accurate", use "This statement is inaccurate" or "This statement is the most inaccurate one available."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least accurate" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, typically used to describe something that has a lower degree of accuracy compared to others. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to highlight deficiencies in precision or reliability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "least accurate" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to denote the lowest level of precision among multiple items. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including science and news media. While alternatives like "most inaccurate" and "least precise" exist, "least accurate" offers a balanced and widely applicable option. Remember to use it in comparative contexts and avoid absolute statements to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most inaccurate

Emphasizes the extreme degree of inaccuracy.

least precise

Focuses on the lack of precision rather than overall accuracy.

utterly incorrect

Stresses that the statement is plainly wrong

most unreliable

Highlights the lack of dependability or trustworthiness.

most flawed

Indicates the presence of significant errors or shortcomings.

wildest guess

Implies the statement is speculative and lacks factual basis.

most off-target

Highlights deviation from the intended or correct outcome.

roughest estimate

Suggests an approximation with a significant margin of error.

worst approximation

Emphasizes that it is the poorest attempt to get close to correct

most fallible

Highlights the potential to be easily mistaken

FAQs

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

Use "least accurate" to compare the precision of multiple items, highlighting the one with the most errors. For instance, "Among all the measurements, this one was the "least accurate"."

What's a good alternative to "least accurate"?

Depending on the context, you could use "most inaccurate", "least precise", or "most unreliable" as alternatives.

Which is correct, "least accurate" or "most inaccurate"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Least accurate" implies a comparative ranking, while "most inaccurate" emphasizes the extreme degree of inaccuracy. Therefore, "most inaccurate" is used when describing the highest amount of imprecision, and "least accurate" when comparing to other levels of imprecision.

What's the difference between "least accurate" and "less accurate"?

"Least accurate" identifies the single most imprecise item from a group, while "less accurate" indicates a lower level of precision compared to another item, but not necessarily the lowest overall.