sketchy information

USAGE SUMMARY

"sketchy information" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to information that is unreliable or incomplete. For example, "The police were suspicious as they had only been able to gather sketchy information from the witness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

He also provided only sketchy information as to the identities and locations of DEA informants in Mexico.

Los Angeles Times

Investigators provided only sketchy information last night.

The New York Times

The Army released only sketchy information about Specialist Anderson.

The New York Times

They say that they have received sketchy information, and that the prognoses on Stevens have changed.

The New York Times - Sports

Imagine pouring money into stocks or mutual funds on such sketchy information.

The New York Times

"You have a lot of sketchy information, and you don't know how it fits into the picture".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

There is some understandable concern that the now-delivered report by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III consists of only the sketchiest information that will not begin to describe to the American people the results of his two-year probe.

The Washington Post

American officials admit they still have only sketchy personal information about him.

The New York Times

Sketchy police information indicates that the Luxor killers were members of a branch of Gamaat Islamiya, based north of Luxor at Asyut, and had been on the run for two years.

The Economist

While traveling, I wondered how many packages were in stores and homes and about the sketchy additional information that a Michigan couple had died after eating a different whitefish product.

The New York Times - Science

(Hare offers only the sketchiest background information).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sketchy information" to signal the need for further investigation or clarification, prompting a deeper dive into the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions or making strong claims based solely on "sketchy information". Always qualify your statements and indicate the level of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sketchy information" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "sketchy" modifies the noun "information". Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sketchy information" is a commonly used phrase to describe details that are incomplete or unreliable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to acknowledge the limitations of "sketchy information" and avoid drawing definitive conclusions based solely on it. Consider using more formal alternatives like "preliminary indications" in academic or professional settings, and always qualify your statements to reflect the level of uncertainty. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively communicate the state of available details while maintaining clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incomplete data

Replaces "information" with a more quantitative term, focusing on the lack of completeness.

unreliable details

Shifts the focus to the trustworthiness of the details provided.

fragmentary intelligence

Implies that the information is not only incomplete but also potentially from an intelligence-gathering context.

scant evidence

Suggests there's very little proof or support available.

tenuous insights

Highlights the weakness and uncertainty of the information.

hazy details

Uses a metaphor to describe the lack of clarity in the information.

limited understanding

Focuses on the restricted scope of comprehension due to the lack of information.

patchy account

Suggests the information is inconsistent and has gaps.

rough outline

Implies the information is preliminary and lacks fine details.

preliminary indications

Highlights that the information is early and subject to change.

FAQs

How can I use "sketchy information" in a sentence?

You can use "sketchy information" to describe details that are incomplete, unreliable, or lacking in substance. For example, "The police had to release the suspect due to the "sketchy information" they had gathered."

What's a better alternative to saying "sketchy information"?

Depending on the context, you might consider using alternatives like "incomplete data", "unreliable details", or "fragmentary intelligence".

Is it appropriate to use "sketchy information" in formal writing?

While "sketchy information" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "preliminary indications" or "limited understanding" in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "sketchy information" and "false information"?

"Sketchy information" implies incompleteness or unreliability, whereas "false information" indicates that the information is known to be incorrect or untrue. "Sketchy information" might be partially correct but lacks sufficient detail, while false information is entirely wrong.