nearly accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is close to being correct or precise, but not entirely so. Example: "The measurements were nearly accurate, but a slight error in calculation affected the final results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

One-third would be more nearly accurate.

The New York Times - Books

That timetable proved nearly accurate, but there were plenty of hiccups along the way.

The New York Times - Sports

But Turnberry, as Watson keeps reminding his listeners (and galleries), is a course that rewards accurate driving, and Woods was not nearly accurate enough during his six-hole lapse.

The New York Times - Sports

After obtaining additional hieroglyphic writings from other sources, he succeeded in providing a nearly accurate translation within a few years and thus contributed heavily to deciphering the ancient Egyptian language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Compact expressions for the effectiveness factor are given for two extreme cases that are nearly accurate.

Chemical Engineering Science

In the case that the trajectory number is large enough, both approximate values are nearly accurate compared with the original values.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) has produced the most accurate nearly global elevation dataset to date.

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation

With sequences within the twilight zone (20 30%), differences of STRIKE score >0.5 make it possible to identify the most accurate MSA in nearly 90% of the cases.

Bioinformatics

For nearly a decade, it turns out, the most accurate forecasts have come from the fringe.

The New York Times - Magazine

Moreover, it would be nearly as accurate as this.

The Guardian - Film

It is nearly 100 percent accurate when it indicates that someone is not infected and, in fact, is not.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly accurate" when you want to convey that something is close to being correct without being absolutely precise. It's suitable for situations where a slight margin of error is acceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly accurate" when describing situations where precision is crucial. In those contexts, consider using more definitive terms like "accurate" or acknowledging the specific degree of error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly accurate" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating the degree to which something approaches accuracy. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is used across different contexts to soften claims of absolute correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly accurate" is a valuable tool for expressing a high degree of correctness without claiming absolute precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and used across various contexts, including scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, consider alternatives like "almost accurate" or "approximately accurate" to fine-tune the nuance. Remember to use "nearly accurate" when a slight margin of error is acceptable and avoid it when describing situations where precision is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost accurate

Slightly more direct and common, implying a close approach to accuracy.

approximately accurate

Highlights the approximation aspect, suggesting a calculated estimation.

virtually accurate

Emphasizes that for all practical purposes, it can be considered accurate.

practically accurate

Indicates the accuracy is sufficient for the intended purpose.

substantially accurate

Suggests a significant degree of accuracy, though not perfect.

largely accurate

Indicates accuracy in most aspects, but potential for minor inaccuracies.

closely accurate

Highlights the proximity to perfect accuracy.

roughly accurate

Implies a less precise level of accuracy, more of a general estimation.

essentially accurate

Focuses on the core information being accurate, despite possible minor details.

about accurate

Indicates an informal and approximate level of accuracy.

FAQs

What does "nearly accurate" mean?

The phrase "nearly accurate" means that something is close to being correct or precise, but not completely so. It implies a small degree of error or approximation.

What can I say instead of "nearly accurate"?

You can use alternatives like "almost accurate", "approximately accurate", or "virtually accurate" depending on the specific context and level of precision you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "nearly accurate"?

Yes, "nearly accurate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It's appropriate when you want to indicate that something is close to, but not perfectly, accurate.

What's the difference between "nearly accurate" and "accurate"?

"Accurate" means completely correct and without error, while "nearly accurate" implies that there is a small degree of error or approximation. The choice depends on the level of precision you want to express.