mostly accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe information or statements that are generally correct but may contain some minor errors or inaccuracies. Example: "The report is mostly accurate, but there are a few figures that need to be updated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's quick, free, and mostly accurate.

The Guardian - Tech

As such, Hackers is a mostly accurate depiction.

The Guardian - Tech

Heseltine reels off mostly accurate guesses about their specification and retail price).

The Guardian

All three helped speed up my round of golf and gave mostly accurate distance readings.

The New York Times - Tech

And while the clocks are mostly accurate, they all have their quirks.

The New York Times

But last week's leak of a mostly accurate list would have been a juicy one in any season.

The Guardian

YouTube, the world's biggest video Web site by far, now supplies mostly accurate captions using voice-recognition software.

The New York Times

Dr. Fair is a professor of economics at Yale best known for devising a mostly accurate formula to predict winners of presidential elections.

The New York Times - Science

The city's black political leaders, in particular, have been pessimistic and so far mostly accurate about the development schemes offered through the years.

The New York Times

The Trump White House has seized on such mistakes to call into question the book's damning, and mostly accurate, larger portrayal of this Presidency.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This undercuts a (mostly) historically accurate and potentially very moving execution scene, complete with a sexed-up, wasp-waisted version of the red chemise that the real Mary wore under her black gown – red being the colour of martyrdom.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "mostly accurate" with specific qualifiers to enhance clarity. For example, "The data is mostly accurate, with a margin of error of 5%" gives readers a clearer understanding of the degree of accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly accurate" when the information contains significant or systematic errors. If inaccuracies are substantial, opt for phrases like "partially accurate" or "questionable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly accurate" functions as an adverbial modifier qualifying the adjective "accurate". It indicates the degree to which something is accurate, suggesting it is largely correct but not entirely without errors. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly accurate" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe information that is generally correct but contains minor errors. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, it’s essential to avoid overstating accuracy and provide qualifiers for clarity. Alternatives like "largely correct" or "generally precise" can be used depending on the specific nuances you want to convey. Overall, "mostly accurate" provides a balanced and realistic assessment of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely correct

Emphasizes the substantial correctness but allows for slight deviations.

generally precise

Highlights the overall precision while acknowledging potential small errors.

substantially accurate

Indicates a significant level of accuracy with minimal discrepancies.

primarily exact

Focuses on the near-perfect exactness while conceding minor variations.

for the most part accurate

Stresses that accuracy is true in most instances but not necessarily all.

accurate to a great extent

Highlights the high degree of accuracy while implying some limitations.

accurate in most respects

Clarifies that accuracy applies to the majority of aspects considered.

mainly correct

Suggests that the primary aspect is correctness although some details may be wrong.

largely precise

Highlights a great amount of precision although some details may be wrong.

virtually accurate

Implies an almost complete level of accuracy with very few exceptions.

FAQs

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

You can use "mostly accurate" to describe information that is generally correct but may contain some minor errors. For example: "The witness's statement was mostly accurate, but some details were confused."

What can I say instead of "mostly accurate"?

You can use alternatives like "largely correct", "generally precise", or "substantially accurate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "mostly accurate" or "completely accurate"?

"Mostly accurate" indicates some errors may exist, while "completely accurate" implies there are no errors. The choice depends on the true state of the information you're describing.

What's the difference between "mostly accurate" and "partially accurate"?

"Mostly accurate" suggests a high degree of correctness with minor exceptions, whereas "partially accurate" implies that a significant portion may be incorrect or incomplete.