open to error

USAGE SUMMARY

"open to error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is vulnerable to being wrong or making mistakes. For example: "The system is very complex and, as a result, is open to error."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Such tests are expensive, open to error and are an affront to respect and privacy.

The New York Times

Screening people, processing requests and hearing appeals in as little as two weeks, leaves the door wide open to error.

The Guardian

Mr. Levy said that left the national studies open to error because principals had incentives to not report incidents and students often failed to do so.

The New York Times

That has left both UN agencies and NGOs to rely on far more fallible systems, to draw on methodologies open to error, bias and manipulation.

The Guardian

He wrote, "Armaments built at risk to Denver become part of a worldwide system so open to error and malfunction that it is reasonable to believe many of us will, at a scarcely imaginable but exact time, die from them".

The New York Times - Arts

Systems to effectively administer NCT were not in place, and this left it more open to error and fraud".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Foubert said the study's methodology, which includes telephone calls, can leave the data open to errors because researchers might not talk to every person living in a certain household.

Huffington Post

However, it should be noted that secretome gene prediction is predicated on the presence of the proper N-terminus in the protein sequence and therefore is open to errors if poor protein models are utilized.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Several questionnaires are applied in the self-assessment process, and data handling can be tedious, expensive and open to errors, when data are being transferred manually from paper into electronic systems.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The reality of this apparently secure and efficient ID card system is that it is wide open to human error, technical failures and abuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

This method requires precise selection of a particular coefficient that is currently chosen by human intervention, which is time consuming and open to human error.

Expert Systems with Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "open to error" to honestly acknowledge potential weaknesses and encourage improvements. For example, "The current data entry process is "open to error" due to its manual nature."

Common error

Avoid using "open to error" when describing something you want to present as completely reliable. Instead, use it to introduce a balanced perspective that accounts for potential flaws.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open to error" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is susceptible or vulnerable to mistakes. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing systems or processes that are not immune to errors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "open to error" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something susceptible to mistakes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "prone to error" or "vulnerable to error" exist, "open to error" provides a balanced and objective way to acknowledge potential weaknesses. When writing, remember to use it to promote transparency and critical evaluation, but avoid implying complete certainty where it doesn't exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to error

Suggests a higher likelihood of errors occurring.

vulnerable to error

Emphasizes the defenselessness against errors.

susceptible to mistakes

Highlights the tendency to be affected by mistakes.

liable to err

Implies a legal or moral responsibility to making mistakes.

not foolproof

Focuses on the absence of complete protection against failure.

imperfect

A general term indicating the presence of flaws or errors.

fallible

Describes the characteristic of being capable of making mistakes.

subject to inaccuracies

Highlights that the focus is on errors of precision or correctness.

at risk of mistakes

Emphasizes the possibility of mistakes happening.

defective

Implies a flaw or imperfection that leads to errors.

FAQs

How can I use "open to error" in a sentence?

You can use "open to error" to describe systems, processes, or methods that are susceptible to mistakes. For instance, "Manual data entry is "open to error", so we're implementing an automated system."

What's a good alternative to "open to error"?

Alternatives include "prone to error", "vulnerable to error", or "susceptible to mistakes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "open to errors" or "open to error"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "open to error" is generally preferred in formal writing to describe a general susceptibility. "Open to errors" might be used when referring to specific, identifiable mistakes.

How does "open to error" differ from "liable to err"?

"Open to error" indicates a general susceptibility, while "liable to err" suggests a stronger probability or even a legal or moral responsibility associated with making mistakes.