soft figures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "soft figures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe data or statistics that are not precise or are presented in a vague or gentle manner. Example: "The report presented soft figures regarding the company's growth, leaving room for interpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Arts

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In 1969 she experimented with soft figures that she made on an old Singer sewing machine.

The New York Times - Arts

This 10-minute work begins with rippling, undulant soft figures in the piano, like Japanese modal Minimalism, over which the violin plays long, pensive lines.

The New York Times - Arts

Last Friday she said that she expected rates to rise this year, then on Tuesday came some soft figures on retail sales.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Based on lenticular opacity, the cataracts were classified as total (figure 1), membranous, in which both capsules fused with scant or no cortical material (figure 2), white soft (figure 3), and rosette types (figure 4).

BMJ Open

She could not have shaken things up so rudely had she been the softer figure portrayed there.

The Guardian - Film

But the soft revenue figures, analysts say, also indicate that the main issue surrounding Apple -- whether it can expand beyond its base of dedicated users and increase its share of the PC market -- remains unresolved.

The New York Times

Myles Zyblock, the chief institutional strategist and managing director for capital markets research at RBC Capital Markets, said that Europe's economic woes in general were weighing on American investor sentiment after the soft economic figures that were released on Wednesday.

The New York Times

The painting contrasts soft, round figures with harder geometrical shapes, using "brushy, transparent touches and dense, vigorous strokes".

Wikipedia

Soft stick figures of dogs, flying saucers and crawling babies have an intense energy to them, making it impossible for those who see them to keep a smile off their faces.

Huffington Post

This happens faster for the stiff systems, as the velocity distribution is narrower (Figure 9) than for the soft systems (Figure 10).

Geothermal Energy

Moreover, both inhibitors blocked the ability of NSLTSMDF cells to form colonies in soft agar (Figure 3C) indicating that both of these signalling pathways are important for the transforming activity of SMDF.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "soft figures", ensure the context clearly indicates why the figures are not precise. For example, specify if they are preliminary estimates or based on limited data.

Common error

Avoid dismissing "soft figures" entirely. Even if not precise, they can still provide valuable insights, especially when combined with qualitative data or trend analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "soft figures" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing data or statistics lacking precision. The term can modify various nouns, as seen in contexts related to sales or economic indicators.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Arts

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "soft figures" is used to describe data or statistics that are not precise or are presented in a vague or gentle manner. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, although it is relatively rare. The term appears in diverse contexts, from arts and culture to business and science. When using "soft figures", it's important to provide context so that the reader understands the limitations of the data. Alternatives include "gentle estimates" and "vague numbers", each offering a slightly different nuance. While not precise, "soft figures" can still provide valuable insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gentle estimates

Emphasizes the lack of precision and the approximate nature of the figures.

approximate values

Focuses on the inexactness and estimated nature of the values.

imprecise statistics

Emphasizes the lack of precision and the approximate nature of the statistics.

vague numbers

Highlights the ambiguity and lack of clarity in the numerical data.

rough calculations

Indicates that the figures were obtained through quick and imprecise calculations.

unreliable figures

Highlights that the data might not be dependable.

preliminary statistics

Suggests that the figures are not yet final and are subject to change.

elastic numbers

Suggests figures that can be stretched or interpreted in multiple ways.

inaccurate numbers

Highlights the lack of accuracy or precision in the figures.

tenuous data

Implies that the data is weak, unreliable, or not firmly established.

FAQs

How can I use "soft figures" in a sentence?

You can use "soft figures" to describe data or statistics that are not precise or are presented in a vague or gentle manner. For example: "The report presented "soft figures" regarding the company's growth, leaving room for interpretation."

What does "soft figures" mean in the context of economics?

In economics, "soft figures" often refer to economic indicators that are weaker than expected, suggesting a potential slowdown in economic activity. For example, "soft revenue figures" may indicate lower sales.

What can I say instead of "soft figures"?

You can use alternatives like "gentle estimates", "vague numbers", or "preliminary statistics" depending on the context.

Are "soft figures" always negative?

Not necessarily. While "soft figures" often imply uncertainty or weaker performance, they can also refer to data that is presented in a less alarming or more palatable way. The interpretation depends on the context.