subject to error

USAGE SUMMARY

"subject to error" is a correct and usable phrase within written English.
It is used to mean that something is prone to mistakes or inaccuracies. For example, you might say, "This data is subject to error, so it might not be completely accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This assessment is subject to error.

European Journal of Operational Research

But "forecasts are subject to error," he added.

The New York Times

Of course, these measures are estimates and subject to error.

The Washington Post

JOHNSON: Well, these government lists are subject to error.

The Washington Post

Caveat: Exit polls, like any polls, are subject to error.

The Washington Post

Any such organizational technology, however, is subject to error and requires experimentation.

The Guardian - Business

All polls are subject to error, and it's quite possible that these three are simply outliers.

The New Yorker

The Republicans have opposed the manual recounts as inherently flawed and subject to error and mischief.

The New York Times

Nor should doctors' expert testimony, which is subject to error, be considered decisive.

The New York Times

Margins of error that accompany published calculations are themselves subject to error.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These physical quantities - indicated by αj - were assumed to be both constant and subject to error.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subject to error", specify the potential sources of error to provide context and manage expectations. For example, instead of saying "The data is subject to error", say "The data is subject to error due to limitations in the collection process".

Common error

Avoid presenting information "subject to error" as absolutely definitive. Acknowledge the possibility of inaccuracies to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subject to error" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is prone to inaccuracies or mistakes. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "subject to error" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the potential for mistakes or inaccuracies. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions as an adjectival phrase, typically modifying nouns to indicate their proneness to errors. Primarily found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, as per Ludwig examples, its function is to communicate uncertainty and manage expectations. While relatively formal, the phrase serves as a crucial disclaimer, promoting accuracy and preventing over-reliance on potentially flawed information. Related alternatives include "liable to error" and "prone to error", each offering slightly different shades of meaning. Overall, understanding how to use "subject to error" effectively can improve your writing by conveying caution and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

liable to error

Uses "liable" instead of "subject", implying a similar probability of error.

prone to error

Replaces "subject" with "prone", suggesting a natural tendency to make mistakes.

susceptible to error

Emphasizes vulnerability to error.

open to error

Suggests that error is a possibility due to the nature of the process or situation.

potentially flawed

Highlights the presence of possible defects that could lead to errors.

may be incorrect

Suggests uncertainty about the correctness of something.

not always accurate

Focuses on the potential lack of precision or correctness.

fallible

Highlights the human capacity for error or the imperfection of a system.

contains inaccuracies

Indicates that errors are present within something.

imperfect

A more general term indicating flaws or the possibility of mistakes.

FAQs

How can I use "subject to error" in a sentence?

You can use "subject to error" to indicate that something is prone to mistakes or inaccuracies, as in "Forecasts are "subject to error"" or "Measurements are "subject to error"".

What's a more formal alternative to "subject to error"?

Formal alternatives include "liable to error", "susceptible to error", or describing something as "potentially flawed" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "subject to error" or "subjected to error"?

"Subject to error" is the correct phrase to indicate that something is prone to mistakes. "Subjected to error" is less common and grammatically awkward; it might imply that something was intentionally made to be erroneous.

What does it mean when something is described as "subject to error"?

It means that the information, process, or measurement in question is not perfect and may contain mistakes or inaccuracies. This is a common disclaimer used to manage expectations and acknowledge limitations.