not precise enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not precise enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something lacks the necessary clarity or specificity. Example: "The instructions provided were not precise enough for me to complete the task successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Commercial sine bars however are not precise enough.

Precision Engineering

The available forecasting technology is just not precise enough to do a better job than that.

The Washington Post

Britain has never introduced a national prostate screening programme as existing tests are not precise enough.

The Guardian

He said it was not precise enough about what modifications would require new pollution controls.

The New York Times

But those models are not precise enough to say where it is safe to fly.

The New York Times

Load analyses are done usually by experimental methods since the accuracy of load simulations are often not precise enough.

Procedia Engineering

If we use that, we will get theta minus theta, one minus one, it looks like it's not precise enough.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They used instruments on Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory, though these were not precise enough to make the observations directly.

The Guardian

Some executives at competing search engines, like Ask.com, play down its claimed innovations, saying the searches are not precise enough.

The New York Times - Tech

The observations generally are not precise enough to identify any objects as the sources of these radiations.

The New York Times - Science

If they are not precise enough errors will occur, but they can be fixed by "debugging" them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not precise enough", consider whether a more specific term like "inaccurate", "vague", or "uncalibrated" might provide a clearer understanding of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "not precise enough" as a generic criticism; instead, identify the specific aspect that lacks precision, such as measurements, definitions, or calculations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not precise enough" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something lacks the required level of accuracy or exactness. As shown by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

31%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not precise enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that something lacks the required level of accuracy or detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and academic writing. When using this phrase, consider whether a more specific term might offer greater clarity. While broadly applicable, it's important to ensure that the criticism is not overly general but rather points to a specific deficiency. Numerous examples available in Ludwig highlight its usage in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not accurate enough

Focuses specifically on the lack of accuracy.

not exact enough

Emphasizes the absence of precision in terms of being perfectly correct.

insufficiently precise

A more formal way of expressing the same lack of precision.

not detailed enough

Highlights the lack of thoroughness or completeness in providing information.

lacking the necessary precision

Highlights that precision is a requirement that is not being met.

not specific enough

Indicates a lack of clarity in terms of defining something clearly.

not refined enough

Suggests a need for further improvement or polishing to achieve the desired level of accuracy.

not calibrated enough

Focuses on the need for better adjustment to meet a standard.

not sensitive enough

Implies a lack of responsiveness or ability to detect subtle differences.

not sharp enough

Indicates a lack of clarity or focus, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

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

You can use "not precise enough" to describe something that lacks the required level of accuracy or detail. For example, "The measurements were "not precise enough" for the experiment".

What are some alternatives to "not precise enough"?

Some alternatives include "not accurate enough", "not specific enough", or "insufficiently precise", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not precise enough" or "imprecise"?

Both are valid, but "not precise enough" may be more suitable when you want to emphasize that a certain level of precision was required but not achieved. "Imprecise" is a more direct and general term for lacking precision.

What does it mean when something is described as "not precise enough" in scientific research?

In scientific research, "not precise enough" usually means that the data, instruments, or methods used do not provide a level of detail or accuracy needed to draw reliable conclusions or to differentiate between subtle effects.