not completely reliable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not completely reliable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the trustworthiness or accuracy of information, sources, or systems that may have some limitations. Example: "While the data provided is useful, it is important to note that it is not completely reliable for making final decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The numbers are not completely reliable.

The Economist

But sperm sorting, Dr. Gleicher said, was not completely reliable.

The New York Times

Mr. Ashcroft said that he knew that polygraph tests were not completely reliable and estimated that about 15percentt showed a false positive.

The New York Times

But two audits of a prominent 17-year-old program to conserve electricity used in consumer goods, a voluntary effort called Energy Star, have found that such estimates, however rosy, are not completely reliable.

The New York Times

However, such sources when explored independently are not completely reliable because of the unpredictable nature.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

But Striedter argues that the analogy with crumpling paper is not completely reliable.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

With Android's YouTube app, users can filter objectionable videos, but in my experience the filter wasn't completely reliable.

The New York Times - Tech

These sites aren't completely reliable, because they can have limited, or old, data on certain towns, but they can help narrow your list of carriers.

The New York Times - Tech

"The records, because of all the turmoil in the last week or two, or perhaps other reasons, aren't completely reliable at this point," he tells Judge Glenn.

The New York Times

He said there are a number of different "breaking points" in the process of collecting and using that data — but the end result is that the existing data sets aren't completely reliable, leading to wasted money when ads aren't targeted properly.

TechCrunch

"I would calculate that there are about 20 or 30 groups, but this is not a completely reliable figure," said Consul Gaspar Orozco (no relation to Manuel Orozco), who is in charge of community affairs at the Mexican consulate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not completely reliable", be specific about the limitations or potential sources of error to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of unreliability. If something is "not completely reliable", it still possesses some value or accuracy. Clearly articulate the balance between its usefulness and its limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not completely reliable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, expressing a qualified assessment of its dependability. Ludwig examples show its use in describing data, sources, methods, and systems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not completely reliable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something is partially, but not fully, trustworthy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across diverse domains. Its function is to offer a nuanced assessment, acknowledging value while highlighting limitations. For situations where full reliability is paramount, consider alternatives like "somewhat unreliable" or "partially dependable", while being specific about potential sources of error to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not fully dependable

Similar to "not completely reliable" but uses "dependable" instead.

somewhat unreliable

Indicates a moderate degree of unreliability.

partially dependable

Suggests that something is dependable only to a certain extent.

not entirely trustworthy

Emphasizes a lack of full trustworthiness.

questionable accuracy

Highlights doubts about the accuracy of something.

limited reliability

Focuses on the restricted scope of reliability.

dubious validity

Raises questions about the validity of something.

imperfectly reliable

Highlights the presence of imperfections in reliability.

subject to error

Indicates a susceptibility to mistakes or inaccuracies.

fallible to a degree

Implies that something is capable of making mistakes.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "not completely reliable" in writing?

Use "not completely reliable" when you want to express that something has limitations in its accuracy or trustworthiness, but it's not entirely useless or false. It's a nuanced way of pointing out imperfections without dismissing the subject entirely.

What are some alternatives to "not completely reliable"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unreliable", "partially dependable", or "not entirely trustworthy" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unreliable" or "not completely reliable"?

"Unreliable" suggests a greater degree of untrustworthiness. "Not completely reliable" implies that there's some level of reliability, but it's imperfect. Choose the phrase that more accurately reflects the situation.

How can I make it clear why something is "not completely reliable"?

Provide specific reasons or examples to support your assessment. For instance, you might say "The data is not completely reliable due to limitations in the collection methods" or "The source is not completely reliable as it has been known to contain bias".