liable to error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "liable to error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is prone to making mistakes or inaccuracies. Example: "The calculations provided by the software are often liable to error, so it's important to double-check the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He was appointed by men and, although liable to error, was to be obeyed even though he personally sinned, provided he maintained the ordinances of Islām.

Encyclopedia Britannica

'Life at Newbury Hall School': Overall, The Royal Ballet School was issued the notice last November after an earlier Ofsted inspection found pupil safeguarding was "not effective" and the system for vetting staff was "liable to error," reported Schools Week.

Independent

Indeed, it may well be that because the verdicts of a prize board, like the reviews of a critic, are liable to error and misprisions, to resentment as well as sentiment, they remind us uncomfortably closely of what the works being judged — of what art and literature — are about: the messy business of being human.

The New York Times - Books

Are moral judgments liable to error?

SEP

He seems to think that it is a conceptual truth that moral judgments are liable to error.

SEP

On the other hand, a packet with a high modulation level is more liable to error but carries more information per symbol.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This is not an efficient approach, as editing of the text files is inconvenient and liable to errors.

Fusion Engineering and Design

The transfusion of blood and blood products is a complex, multi-professional task which is liable to errors at any point in the journey from donor to recipient.

Nurse Education in Practice

Nevertheless, genotyping of hDNA samples is liable to errors caused by DNA damage and allelic dropout.

Plosone

Even though the structure, genetic content and organization of mtDNA are strongly conserved among mammals and human mtDNA is considered a paradigm for the whole class [ 3], it is imperative that sequencing of new mt genomes incorporate evidence from the transcriptome as often as possible, as annotations based on genomic data only are liable to errors.

BMC Genomics

Even the most eminent proved liable to diagnostic error.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "liable to error", clearly identify the specific process, system, or judgment that is susceptible to mistakes. This provides context and allows for targeted improvements or precautions.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is generally "liable to error" without specifying the conditions or types of errors. Instead, focus on specific situations where errors are more likely to occur. For example, instead of "Human judgment is liable to error", say "Human judgment is liable to error under conditions of high stress and time pressure."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liable to error" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a propensity or susceptibility to making mistakes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "liable to error" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something prone to mistakes. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its acceptability across various domains, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "prone to error" and "subject to error" exist, "liable to error" maintains a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, remember to specify what exactly is prone to errors and under what circumstances. Although frequently used, its relatively uncommon nature suggests careful consideration of context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to error

Replaces "liable" with "prone", suggesting a natural inclination towards making errors.

subject to error

Substitutes "liable" with "subject", indicating that something is under the influence or control of error.

susceptible to error

Uses "susceptible" in place of "liable", emphasizing vulnerability to error.

open to error

Replaces "liable" with "open", suggesting a lack of protection against errors.

vulnerable to error

Emphasizes the weakness or lack of defense against errors.

at risk of error

Highlights the potential danger or negative consequences of errors.

inclined to err

Uses the verb "err" to indicate a tendency to make mistakes, often suggesting a moral dimension.

likely to be mistaken

Shifts the focus to the possibility of being incorrect, rather than just making errors.

tending toward inaccuracy

Focuses on the gradual drift towards a lack of precision.

predisposed to mistakes

Implies a pre-existing condition or factor that increases the likelihood of errors.

FAQs

How can I use "liable to error" in a sentence?

You can use "liable to error" to describe something that is prone to making mistakes. For example, "The manual calculations are "liable to error", so it's important to use a calculator".

What's a more formal way to say "liable to error"?

More formal alternatives include "subject to error" or "susceptible to error". These options maintain a similar meaning but are often preferred in academic or professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "liable to error" in a less formal context?

In less formal contexts, you can use "prone to error" or "at risk of error". These alternatives are easier to understand in everyday conversations.

Is there a difference between "liable to error" and "liable to errors"?

"Liable to error" refers to a general susceptibility to making mistakes, while "liable to errors" suggests a tendency to make specific, identifiable mistakes. While both are acceptable, "liable to error" is generally preferred for broader statements.