range of error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "range of error" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts involving measurements, statistics, or calculations to indicate the possible variation or uncertainty in a value. Example: "The experiment yielded a range of error of plus or minus two percent, indicating the reliability of the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We explored the magnitude of this bias in sensitivity analysis assuming a range of error variances.

Harvard University

(For younger students, a range of error can be introduced, such as rounding to the nearest 0.1 kg).

The New York Times

Limited numbers of crashes in the database for each model created a fairly wide range of error in the calculations.

The New York Times

But he also warned that the rosy budget projections "are necessarily subject to a relatively wide range of error".

The New York Times

But these are tiny percentage differences, well within range of error, and it raises the whole question of how reliable are the statistics gathered.

The Guardian

However, weather radars sense at certain altitude above ground level and are subject to a large range of error sources.

Journal of Hydrology

"I think we are going to create a lot of jobs; how many I don't know," Mr. Snow said, adding that "macroeconomic models are based on a lot of assumptions" and are "not without a range of error".

The New York Times

Such a range of error might still be acceptable for some purposes – such as deciding how high to make a doorframe so that they don't have to duck – but would be entirely inappropriate if you were buying them a coat.

The Guardian

What the public is seldom being told in this election season is that the potential range of error applies separately to the numbers for both Mr. Bush and Mr. Gore.

The New York Times

The suit says the report's results were generated by flawed computer models and portrayed some historical climate data without including the potential range of error in temperature readings for past centuries.

The New York Times

More than 135° OsA enlarges the safe-zone of the prosthetic position, so it extends the acceptable range of error that surgeons cannot avoid completely.

Journal of Biomechanics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting experimental results, always specify the "range of error" to provide context for the reliability of your findings. This allows others to understand the potential variability in the data.

Common error

Avoid presenting data without acknowledging the "range of error". Failure to do so can lead to misinterpretations and inflated perceptions of accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "range of error" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It quantifies the extent of potential inaccuracies or deviations in measurements, estimates, or calculations. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase appears in contexts where precision and reliability are discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "range of error" is a widely used phrase, particularly in scientific and statistical contexts, to describe the extent of potential inaccuracies or variations. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields make it a valuable term for clear and precise communication. Whether you're writing a research paper, news report, or business proposal, understanding and specifying the "range of error" is essential for conveying the reliability and limitations of your data. Alternatives like ""margin of error"" or "error margin" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

margin of error

Focuses on the acceptable deviation from a central value.

error margin

Similar to "margin of error", emphasizing the extent of potential inaccuracy.

degree of uncertainty

Highlights the lack of certainty in a result or estimate.

level of imprecision

Emphasizes the lack of exactness or accuracy.

extent of variation

Focuses on the amount of change or difference.

scope of deviation

Highlights the amount by which something differs from a standard or norm.

potential for inaccuracy

Stresses the possibility of errors occurring.

possible error rate

Focuses on the frequency of errors.

confidence interval

Statistical term that indicates the reliability of an estimate.

limits of agreement

Highlights the range within which two measurements are expected to agree.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "range of error" in a sentence?

Use "range of error" to describe the potential variability or uncertainty associated with a measurement, calculation, or result. For example: "The experiment's results had a wide "range of error"." or "The "margin of error" was plus or minus 5%."

What's a simpler way to say "range of error"?

Depending on the context, you can use simpler alternatives such as "error margin" or ""margin of error"". These phrases are often used interchangeably.

Is there a difference between "range of error" and "margin of error"?

While the terms are often used similarly, ""margin of error"" typically refers to the maximum expected difference between the true population value and a sample estimate, whereas "range of error" can refer more broadly to any kind of variability or imprecision in a measurement or calculation. In most contexts they are interchangeable.

When is it important to specify the "range of error"?

It's crucial to specify the "range of error" when presenting any quantitative data, especially in scientific research, statistical analysis, and engineering. This helps ensure that readers can accurately assess the reliability and significance of the findings. Omitting the "degree of uncertainty" could lead to misinterpretations.