precise measurement is elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precise measurement is elusive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the challenges of obtaining accurate measurements in various fields, such as science, engineering, or statistics. Example: "In many scientific experiments, achieving a precise measurement is elusive due to the inherent variability in the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

No calibration target, specialized hardware, or precise measurement is necessary.

Stanford University

As long as every competitor ran the same distance, it didn't matter what the precise measurement was.

The New Yorker

More precise measurements are plainly required to settle the matter.

The Guardian

But then, if you really think about it, many seemingly precise measurements are themselves an illusion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Precise measurements are possible with available technologies.

Critical Care

The term "green building" is relatively new and a precise definition is elusive.

Green Construction Project Management and Cost Oversight

Though a precise tally is elusive, Basques once roamed Idaho's sheep ranges in formidable numbers.

The New York Times - Travel

These quantities are related, just as position and momentum are, so that the more precise a measurement is made of one, the less precise a measurement can be made of the other.

Huffington Post

There are thousands of them in South Florida, although precise numbers are elusive.

The New York Times

To date, such measurement has been elusive for a variety of reasons.

Open Geospatial Data, Software and Standards

The amounts are precise and presumably meaningful, but the object, exactly, is elusive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific or technical topics, use "precise measurement is elusive" to acknowledge the inherent difficulties in achieving absolute accuracy. This phrase is particularly useful when explaining limitations in data collection or experimental design.

Common error

Avoid using "precise measurement is elusive" when a reasonable approximation is sufficient or when the measurement is simply difficult, not fundamentally impossible. Instead, opt for phrases like "measurement is challenging" or "accurate measurement requires further refinement."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precise measurement is elusive" functions as a commentary on the difficulty or impossibility of achieving exactness in measurement. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "precise measurement is elusive" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey the inherent difficulty in obtaining exact measurements, especially in complex systems. According to Ludwig AI, it is applicable across various contexts, including science, technology, and general discussions where absolute certainty is not attainable. While grammatically correct, the phrase is not overly common. It is particularly relevant to academic, scientific, and technical writing, where acknowledging the limitations of measurement is critical. Related phrases include "accurate measurement is difficult to obtain" and "exact measurement is hard to achieve", which emphasize different aspects of the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accurate measurement is difficult to obtain

Focuses on the difficulty in achieving accuracy rather than the measurement being 'elusive'.

exact measurement is hard to achieve

Replaces "elusive" with "hard to achieve", emphasizing the effort required.

precise measurement is hard to pin down

Uses "hard to pin down" to convey the difficulty in getting a precise measurement.

getting an exact measurement is challenging

Emphasizes the challenge in getting an exact measurement.

precise measurement often proves unattainable

Replaces "elusive" with "unattainable", conveying the idea that precise measurement is often not achievable.

accurate determination is not always possible

Shifts the focus to the possibility of accurate determination instead of the elusiveness of precise measurement.

precise quantification remains a challenge

Uses "quantification" instead of "measurement", focusing on the challenge of precise quantification.

accurate figures are difficult to come by

Highlights the difficulty in acquiring accurate figures.

an exact figure is difficult to ascertain

Highlights the difficulty of ascertaining an exact figure.

it's hard to get an exact read

Uses a more informal tone by suggesting "it's hard to get an exact read".

FAQs

How can I use "precise measurement is elusive" in a sentence?

You can use "precise measurement is elusive" to describe situations where obtaining an exact measurement is difficult or impossible. For example, "In climate modeling, a precise measurement of long-term effects "is elusive" due to the complexity of the system".

What does "precise measurement is elusive" mean?

The phrase "precise measurement is elusive" means that obtaining an accurate and exact measurement is difficult to achieve, often because of inherent limitations or complexities in what is being measured.

Which is correct, "precise measurement is elusive" or "accurate measurement is elusive"?

Both "precise measurement is elusive" and "accurate measurement is elusive" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Precise" implies exactness, while "accurate" implies correctness. The choice depends on the specific context, with "precise measurement is elusive" emphasizing the difficulty in achieving exactness, and "accurate measurement is elusive" focusing on the difficulty in achieving correctness.

What can I say instead of "precise measurement is elusive"?

You can use alternatives like "accurate measurement is difficult to obtain", "exact measurement is hard to achieve", or "precise quantification remains a challenge" depending on the context. All of them are valid, but focus on different aspects of QUERY.