not as precise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as precise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the accuracy or exactness of two or more things, indicating that one is less precise than the other. Example: "The results from the new method are not as precise as those obtained from the traditional approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Radar is not as precise as GPS.

The New York Times

But the information is not as precise.

The New York Times - Science

Print advertisements for the movie, though, are not as precise.

The New York Times

Mr. Bulger's testimony was "not as precise as it might have been," Mr. Keating said.

The New York Times

Terry Microsoft's instructions were not as precise as they might have been.

The Guardian - Tech

Its demarcation from faith is not as precise as these descriptions suggest.

The New York Times - Books

Your decisions are not as quick; maybe the game is not as precise as you wish it to be.

The New York Times

The 14th-century bricks were not as precise as the Roman and were often distorted in firing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And that's not good, because the initial jobs data are not as precise as many people seem to think.

The New York Times - Magazine

Rubidium atomic clocks, or frequency standards, have been constructed, but they are not as precise as cesium atomic clocks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was hard to do because kicking out of bounds is not as precise as booting the ball straight downfield.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two methods or results, use "not as precise" to clearly indicate which one provides less detailed or accurate information. For example, "Method A is "not as precise" as Method B, so we should interpret the results with caution."

Common error

Avoid using "not as precise" when you actually mean inaccurate. Precision refers to the level of detail, while accuracy refers to correctness. A measurement can be precise but inaccurate, or vice versa.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as precise" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing is less exact or detailed than another. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

52%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not as precise" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate that one thing is less exact or detailed than another. Its primary function is to draw comparisons, often in contexts where accuracy and detail are important such as in scientific studies, news reporting, and encyclopedic descriptions. While usable across registers, it's more prevalent in neutral to formal contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that precision, the level of detail, isn't confused with accuracy, which refers to correctness. Alternatives like "less accurate" or "somewhat imprecise" can be used depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less accurate

Focuses on accuracy as the deficient quality rather than precision.

not quite as exact

Replaces "precise" with "exact" while maintaining the comparative structure.

not so accurate

Uses "so" instead of "as" for a slightly different emphasis.

lacking in precision

Changes the structure to a descriptive phrase using "lacking".

not as refined

Substitutes "precise" with "refined", implying a lack of fine detail.

not as sharp

Replaces "precise" with "sharp", suggesting a lack of clarity or focus.

less defined

Emphasizes the lack of clear definition rather than precision.

not perfectly accurate

Adds the qualifier "perfectly" to emphasize the degree of inaccuracy.

somewhat imprecise

Uses "imprecise" directly, qualified by "somewhat" to soften the statement.

not entirely exact

Similar to 'not quite as exact' adding an emphasis on how much exactness is missing.

FAQs

How can I use "not as precise" in a sentence?

You can use "not as precise" to compare the level of detail or accuracy between two things. For example, "Radar is "not as precise" as GPS" or "His instructions were "not as precise" as they could have been".

What are some alternatives to "not as precise"?

Alternatives include phrases like "less accurate", "not as exact", or "somewhat imprecise" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "not as precise"?

Use "not as precise" when you want to indicate that something lacks fine detail or exactness compared to something else. It's suitable when discussing measurements, instructions, or any situation where accuracy and detail matter.

What's the difference between "not as precise" and "not as accurate"?

"Not as precise" refers to a lack of detail or fineness in measurement or description, while "not as accurate" refers to a lack of correctness or truth. Precision relates to how detailed something is, while accuracy relates to how correct it is.