moderately reliable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moderately reliable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a fair level of dependability, but not absolute certainty. Example: "The results of the survey were moderately reliable, indicating some trends but also leaving room for doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a more recent study, the sensitivity (78%), specificity (71%), and test-retest reliability (.60) established the PHQ-15 as valid and "moderately reliable" in detecting somatoform disorders [ 19].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

With a moderate Cronbach's Alpha of 0.67, the questionnaire proved to be moderately reliable in this specific patient population.

BMC Cancer

Areas with moderately reliable rainfall produce most of Australia's superfine wool.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is a rapid test for Type A influenza viruses, the group that A(H5N1) belongs to, but the test is only moderately reliable, and it is not specific for A(H5N1).

The New York Times

Trott had £4 when he died; it's surely time to reassess his brilliant, unconventional career – although my original sources, two serious cricket‑loving Taunton residents, are long dead, as are other moderately reliable transitory West Country boundary intimates of long ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Radiographic loss of contact between radial head fracture fragments is moderately reliable.

Duke University

The 24RI adherence scores (Frequency, Interval, and Dietary Adherence) were moderately reliable across the three interviews.

Duke University

In fasting versus non-fasting subjects, US was specifically reliable in identifying a full stomach but only moderately reliable in identifying an empty stomach [46].

Insights into Imaging

The subtest was moderately reliable, ranked criterion groups appropriately, had a correlation with the total test of 0.71, and using the standard used for the total examination, identified the certification status of 84% of candidates.

Duke University

The V s models produced by global tomography appear to provide moderately reliable images of the deepest ∼200 km of the mantle (essentially corresponding to D ′′) of this region, at least for wavelength features exceeding 2000 km.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

The ICHD-3 beta criteria for arterial hypertension-related headache are highly reliable for older children, in whom there is a higher incidence of essential hypertension, but moderately reliable in young children, in whom arterial hypertension is usually secondary to another disease.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "moderately reliable", consider specifying the context or conditions under which the reliability holds true. This provides clarity and manages expectations regarding the degree of certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "moderately reliable" when the evidence suggests a higher or lower degree of dependability. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the available data or observations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moderately reliable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its degree of dependability. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a fair level of trustworthiness without absolute certainty. It is often used to qualify the strength or validity of information or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

12%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moderately reliable" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is dependable to a certain extent, but not entirely. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia, indicating its versatility and widespread acceptance. While commonly used, it's crucial to provide context when using "moderately reliable" to clarify the degree of dependability. Alternatives such as "somewhat dependable" or "fairly trustworthy" can be used for variety, but the key is to ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the degree of certainty. Therefore, avoid overstating the reliability and always ground your assessment in available data or observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat dependable

Emphasizes a degree of dependability, but with a slightly less formal tone than "moderately reliable".

fairly trustworthy

Highlights the aspect of trustworthiness, suggesting a reasonable level of confidence but not complete certainty.

reasonably accurate

Focuses on accuracy rather than general reliability, implying that the information is correct to a reasonable extent.

partially dependable

Stresses that dependability is not complete, suggesting that the subject is dependable only to a certain extent or in certain situations.

quite consistent

Emphasizes consistency as an aspect of reliability, suggesting that the subject behaves or performs in a similar manner across different instances.

acceptably valid

Indicates that something meets a basic level of validity but may not be perfect.

tolerably precise

Implies an acceptable level of precision, where minor inaccuracies are within an acceptable range.

adequately sound

Suggests that something is reasonably sound or well-founded, but not necessarily exceptional.

passably credible

Highlights the credibility aspect, suggesting a level of believability that is adequate but not outstanding.

approximatively verifiable

Focuses on verifiability, where something can be confirmed approximately but not with absolute certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "moderately reliable" in a sentence?

You can use "moderately reliable" to describe something that is dependable to a certain extent, but not completely. For example, "The data from that source is "moderately reliable", so we need to interpret it with caution."

What are some alternatives to "moderately reliable"?

Some alternatives include "somewhat dependable", "fairly trustworthy", or "reasonably accurate", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "moderately reliable" or "highly reliable"?

The choice depends on the actual level of reliability. Use "moderately reliable" when there is a reasonable degree of dependability, but not absolute certainty. Use "highly reliable" when there is strong evidence supporting its consistency and accuracy.

What does it mean when something is described as "moderately reliable"?

It means that the thing being described can be depended on to some extent, but there are limitations or potential inconsistencies that should be considered. It's not completely unreliable, but it's also not perfect.