not very reliable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very reliable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that lacks consistency or trustworthiness. Example: "The weather forecast has been not very reliable lately, so I suggest checking multiple sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

General discussions of trustworthiness

Assessments of data or information quality

Descriptions of systems or processes with inconsistent performance

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's not very reliable".

The New York Times

Rather than ask them to cooperate voluntarily, when that impulse is not very reliable.

Columbia University

"If they have overindulged, you're dealing with someone who is not very reliable to begin with".

The New York Times

The group had a massive amount of material, much of it old and not very reliable.

The Washington Post

"Samples taken from the surface of the seabed are not very reliable.

The Economist

His Mémoires provide a colourful but not very reliable commentary on the First Empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Headlines have noted (not very reliable) polls that suggest Mr Roberts is in trouble.

The Economist

"They regard him as a loose cannon and not very reliable".

The New York Times

They are four-legged, for one thing, and not very reliable about following rehabilitation schedules.

The New York Times

The local mobile network, NetOne, is not very reliable and we often need to walk long distances of about 3.5km (2 miles) to get it to work.

The Guardian

Forecasts as far out as 2017 were not very reliable but were already suggesting some warming in the Pacific, which could affect corals there again.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not very reliable", provide specific reasons or examples to support your assessment. This adds credibility and helps the audience understand the extent of the unreliability.

Common error

Avoid using "not very reliable" as a blanket statement without providing supporting evidence or context. This can weaken your argument and make your assessment seem subjective or biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very reliable" primarily functions as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun, indicating a lack of dependability or consistency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not very reliable" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that indicates a lack of dependability or consistency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is primarily used in news and scientific contexts to express caution or skepticism about sources of information, systems, or people. While it is a versatile phrase suitable for various settings, it's important to provide specific reasons or examples to support your assessment of unreliability. Alternatives like "somewhat unreliable" or "not entirely trustworthy" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unreliable

Indicates a slightly lesser degree of unreliability.

a bit undependable

Uses "undependable" as a synonym for "unreliable", softening the statement with "a bit".

not entirely trustworthy

Focuses on the lack of trustworthiness rather than reliability.

prone to failure

Highlights the tendency to fail or malfunction.

tends to be inconsistent

Emphasizes the lack of consistency in performance.

not always dependable

Indicates that dependability is not a constant characteristic.

of questionable dependability

Raises doubts about the level of dependability.

unpredictable performance

Focuses on the unpredictability of the performance or behavior.

flawed in consistency

Highlights flaws related to consistency.

lacking in assurance

Suggests a deficiency in the level of assurance or certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "not very reliable" in a sentence?

You can use "not very reliable" to describe something that cannot be depended on to work consistently or to provide accurate information. For example: "The old car is "not very reliable", so I take the bus."

What's a more formal way to say "not very reliable"?

More formal alternatives include "somewhat unreliable", "not entirely trustworthy", or "of questionable dependability".

Is "not very reliable" the same as "unreliable"?

"Not very reliable" implies a lesser degree of unreliability compared to simply saying "unreliable". The former suggests occasional issues, while the latter suggests a consistent lack of dependability.

What are some common things described as "not very reliable"?

Common examples include sources of information (like polls or data), technology (like software or network connections), and even people (in terms of their consistency or judgment).