to be accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that one is speaking or writing precisely and correctly. For example: "He said he is 57 years old, but to be accurate, he is 56."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Earth said, "We just want to—" "—be accurate," Fire said.

The New Yorker

(It turned out to be accurate).

The New York Times

A race caller has to be accurate.

The New Yorker

Or to be accurate, mostly joking.

Independent

This also proved to be accurate.

The Economist

Those papers have to be accurate.

The New York Times

They don't happen to be accurate.

The New York Times

"You have to be accurate," he says.

The New Yorker

"The terrorists' calculations proved to be accurate.

Independent

"It has to be accurate.

The Guardian

Ben Curtis learned how to be accurate.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting data or information, always double-check your sources and calculations to ensure you are "to be accurate" in your claims.

Common error

Avoid using "to be accurate" without considering the specific context. Sometimes, providing a simplified or generalized view is more appropriate than striving for absolute precision, especially when communicating with a general audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be accurate" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase. Ludwig highlights its role in expressing a need for or intention of correctness. It often modifies verbs, adjectives, or nouns to specify the quality of being precise and error-free.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be accurate" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to emphasize the importance of correctness and precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and professional settings. When aiming for clarity and trustworthiness, using "to be accurate" is a solid choice, but always consider the specific context to determine the appropriate level of precision. Related alternatives include "to be precise" and "to ensure correctness", offering slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be precise

Offers a more concise alternative, emphasizing the characteristic of being exact and accurate.

to ensure correctness

Focuses on ensuring a state of being correct, emphasizing the action taken to achieve accuracy.

to maintain precision

Highlights the importance of maintaining a high level of exactness and detail.

to verify accuracy

Emphasizes the act of checking and confirming that something is accurate.

to confirm validity

Shifts the focus to validating the truthfulness or soundness of something.

to represent truthfully

Highlights the act of presenting something in a way that aligns with the truth.

to reflect reality

Focuses on mirroring or representing the true state of affairs.

to provide factual information

Emphasizes the delivery of information based on verifiable facts.

to give a correct account

Highlights providing a true and accurate description or narration of events.

to ascertain the truth

Focuses on the process of discovering and establishing what is true and accurate.

FAQs

How can I use "to be accurate" in a sentence?

You can use "to be accurate" to emphasize precision in statements. For example, "While the initial estimate was high, we strive "to be accurate" in our final report."

What's a simple way of saying "to be accurate"?

A simpler way to say "to be accurate" is "to be precise" or "to be correct".

Which is the more emphatic statement, "to be accurate" or "to be precise"?

Both "to be accurate" and "to be precise" emphasize correctness, but "to be precise" often suggests a higher degree of exactness and attention to detail.

What does it mean "to be accurate" in research?

In research, "to be accurate" means ensuring that data, methods, and conclusions are free from errors and biases, reflecting the true nature of the subject being studied.