rather accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is fairly or moderately precise or correct, often in a context where a degree of accuracy is being discussed. Example: "The report was rather accurate, reflecting the current market trends effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many Worlds"., a rather accurate summary of Karnataka's diversity.

The Economist

It was a strikingly poetic moment from the Portuguese, and a rather accurate one at that.

Independent

With only 2×2 or 3×3 subdivisions, this scheme can provide rather accurate solutions.

Journal of Computational Physics

These methods based on either statistical mechanics or quantum mechanics allow the prediction of rather accurate values of solubility.

Thermodynamics, Solubility and Environmental Issues

One reason is that the meshfree gradient approximation is generally rather accurate per se and difficult to improve.

Computers & Mathematics with Applications

Only with 2 × 2 or 3 × 3 subdivisions, the proposed numerical scheme can provide rather accurate solutions.

Journal of Computational Physics

The probes give rather accurate results in a broad range from about 1019 to 1022 m− 3.

Surface and Coatings Technology

(Watch him with the sound turned off, and he could be doing a rather accurate Bob Monkhouse impression – clasped hands and everything).

The Guardian

The title is not pompous, but rather accurate – reflecting simply that the document is a previous direction made by the patient.

Harvard University

Animals are notoriously difficult to identify, because their appearance changes quite dramatically; however, this combination of words and weak appearance descriptors gives us a rather accurate classifier.

University of California, Berkeley

Thus the level of sales in the initial period is expected to be a rather accurate indicator of the level of sales in the subsequent periods.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather accurate" to convey a moderate level of precision, especially when acknowledging that complete accuracy might not be achievable or necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "rather accurate" when the context requires absolute precision. Instead, opt for stronger terms like "completely accurate" or "unquestionably precise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather accurate" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a degree of accuracy that is above average but not absolute. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests a level of precision that is noteworthy but not necessarily perfect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather accurate" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that is fairly precise or correct, without necessarily implying absolute perfection. As verified by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently encountered across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. While synonyms like "fairly accurate" and "reasonably correct" offer similar nuances, "rather accurate" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. When employing the phrase, it's advisable to consider the context and avoid overstating the degree of accuracy, especially when complete precision is paramount. The phrase sees frequent use in Science and News & Media, suggesting that information is good, but not necessarily perfect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly accurate

Indicates a similar level of accuracy but with a slightly different emphasis on fairness or impartiality.

moderately precise

Directly indicates that the level of precision is moderate.

quite precise

Emphasizes the exactness and detail-oriented nature of the accuracy.

reasonably correct

Highlights the correctness of something to a reasonable extent, suggesting it's mostly right.

somewhat exact

Implies a degree of precision that is slightly less definitive than "rather accurate".

substantially correct

Emphasizes that the main part or essence is correct.

largely true

Shifts the focus to truthfulness, suggesting that something is mostly but not entirely true.

largely inerrant

Suggests something is mostly free from error.

genuinely reliable

Focuses on the dependability and trustworthiness of the accuracy.

pretty close

More informal, suggesting an approximation that is near the actual value.

FAQs

How can I use "rather accurate" in a sentence?

You can use "rather accurate" to describe something that is fairly precise or correct. For instance, "The weather forecast was "rather accurate" this week".

What's a good alternative to "rather accurate"?

Alternatives include "fairly accurate", "somewhat accurate", or "reasonably correct", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rather accurate" formal or informal?

"Rather accurate" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it versatile.

How does "rather accurate" compare to "completely accurate"?

"Rather accurate" suggests a moderate level of precision, while "completely accurate" implies absolute and total correctness. The choice depends on the context and the degree of accuracy you wish to emphasize.