to a precision of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to a precision of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying the degree of accuracy or exactness in measurements or calculations. Example: "The results were reported to a precision of three decimal places."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ln(x) is approximated to a precision of 2−p (or p precise bits) by the following formula (due to Carl Friedrich Gauss): :\ln (x) \approx \frac{\pi}{2 M 1,2^{2-m}/x)} - M 1,2^{2-m}/x

Wikipedia

The equivalence principle has been tested already to a precision of a few parts per trillion.

The Economist

His website notes his waist measurement, cock size and gayness to a precision of one decimal point ("97.5%").

The Guardian

The experiment measures the ratio of these distances, down to a precision of thousandths of the size of a proton.

The Guardian

The scientists found that gamma was equal to the Einsteinian value of 1.0 to a precision of about one part in 40,000.

The New York Times - Science

Carl Bradberry, owner of a small machining shop near Rockford called S&B Jig Grinding, produces machine parts engineered to a precision of less than the diameter of a human hair.

The New York Times

By measuring this change in distance between the two probes (to a precision of better than 50 nanometres per second), scientists can work out the corresponding change in gravity under the probes, and so make inferences about the moon's geological structure.

The Guardian

At first, the measurements were good to a precision of about 10 inches, then 5 inches, then 1. Today, they track changes of a little less than an inch, and the readings may improve still more if plans are approved for a more sensitive laser observatory.

The New York Times - Science

So the strong equivalence principle has been tested only to a precision of parts per thousand.

Science Magazine

Meanwhile, impressive at smaller scales, the Boston Symphony Orchestra coordinates muscle movements to a precision of millimeters and milliseconds.

TechCrunch

The modules are positioned on average to a precision of ∼300μm.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to a precision of", ensure that the unit of measurement is clearly stated. For example, instead of "measured to a precision of 0.1", specify "measured to a precision of 0.1 cm".

Common error

Avoid using "to a precision of" when the actual measurement is an estimation or approximation. Use phrases like "approximately" or "roughly" instead when exactness is not guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to a precision of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the degree of accuracy with which something is measured, calculated, or defined. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to a precision of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, especially in scientific and technical contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression to specify the degree of accuracy achieved in measurements or calculations. Its primary function is to add quantifiable detail. When using this phrase, stating the units of measurement is vital. While alternatives like "with an accuracy of" or "accurate to within" exist, "to a precision of" is valuable for maintaining clarity in communicating precise results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with an accuracy of

Replaces "precision" with "accuracy", focusing on the correctness of a measurement.

precise to

Shortens the original phrase while retaining the core meaning.

with a degree of accuracy of

Adds emphasis to the level of accuracy achieved.

accurate to within

Specifies the range within which the measurement is considered accurate.

to a level of accuracy of

Similar to "with a degree of accuracy", but uses "level" instead of "degree".

with a resolution of

Focuses on the smallest distinguishable difference in a measurement.

to the nearest

Indicates the closest unit to which a measurement is rounded.

with a margin of error of

Focuses on the potential error range in a measurement.

calculated with an uncertainty of

Highlights the uncertainty associated with the calculation.

estimated to be

Indicates an approximation rather than an exact measurement.

FAQs

How can I use "to a precision of" in a sentence?

You can use "to a precision of" to specify the degree of accuracy in a measurement or calculation. For example, "The instrument measures distances "to a precision of" 0.01 mm".

What phrases are similar to "to a precision of"?

Similar phrases include "with an accuracy of", "accurate to within", or "to the nearest". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the unit of measurement when using "to a precision of"?

Yes, specifying the unit of measurement is crucial for clarity. For example, instead of saying "the measurement was taken "to a precision of" 0.1", specify "the measurement was taken "to a precision of" 0.1 mm".

Can "to a precision of" be used for non-numerical contexts?

While primarily used in numerical contexts, "to a precision of" can be metaphorically applied to describe the detail or exactness in non-numerical descriptions. For instance, "The historical account was reconstructed "to a detail of" each day's events".