unpredictable poll

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unpredictable poll" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a survey or voting process that yields unexpected or uncertain results. Example: "The recent election was marked by an unpredictable poll, leaving many analysts baffled by the final outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unpredictable poll.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

With so many unpredictable variables, several polls vary widely.

The New York Times

In a joint statement, the country's professional associations warned that driving through a constitution that does not command widespread consensus threatens to "create the conditions for a political and social conflict of unpredictable dimensions".Opinion polls suggest that many Venezuelans may not vote in the referendum.

The Economist

And the poll is unpredictable because Scots cannot vote for what a plurality of them wants: further powers short of independence, with defence and foreign affairs handled from London.

The Economist

The three-candidate race is close and unpredictable, with wildly inconsistent polls, a flood of new advertising money from the national parties and PACs, and renewed interest in an immigration and corruption scandal from Round's gubernatorial days.

Huffington Post

Iran's hard-line daily Vatan-e Emruz under a headline "Cameron's success; Sound of Scotland's footsteps" notes that "Britain's most unpredictable elections have proved all poll predictions wrong except one; which is that the louder than ever sound of footsteps of Scotland's independence will be heard in Westminster".

BBC

The election, meanwhile, was promising to be the most democratic and unpredictable in Kenya's history: polls showed President Mwai Kibaki slipping behind the challenger, Raila Odinga, a former political prisoner.

The New York Times - Magazine

Neither the UKIP nor the Greens will take many seats but they could erode the vote of the top two parties in marginal seats, with unpredictable consequences.The latest Scottish constituency polls show a massive swing from Labour to SNP, that could leave the latter with more than 50 of Scotland's 59 seats.

The Economist

At this very early stage in perhaps the most unpredictable Republican nominating contest in decades, polls put Mr Paul in a tightly packed second tier of declared or potential candidates, behind Jeb Bush and Wisconsin's Governor Scott Walker.

Independent

Other examples of European elections with potential for unpredictable results cited by EIU include polls in Denmark, Finland, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany and Ireland.

BBC

The disparity between prediction markets and polling data is stark, especially in an election as unpredictable as this one.The most recent national Qunnipiac poll shows Donald Trump leading the Republican pack by double digits.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing political analysis, use "unpredictable poll" to convey the idea that the results are not easily anticipated or explained by conventional models. For instance, "The recent "unpredictable poll" has led to a flurry of speculation among political commentators."

Common error

Avoid attributing unpredictability solely to polling methodology without considering external factors, such as sudden political events or shifts in public sentiment. Polling can reflect, but not always cause, unpredictable outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unpredictable poll" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "poll" to indicate its uncertain or unforeseeable nature. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples where the phrase is used in news and media contexts to describe election results or surveys that defy expectations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unpredictable poll" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe surveys or elections with outcomes that are difficult to foresee. Ludwig AI confirms its usage is primarily within the realm of news and media, serving to highlight uncertainty and challenge conventional expectations. While not a particularly common phrase, its meaning is clear, and its usage appropriate in contexts where forecasting is unreliable. Understanding the factors that contribute to unpredictability and avoiding oversimplification in analysis are essential for responsible reporting and interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpredictable elections

Plural form of the root words.

erratic survey

Emphasizes the inconsistency and irregularity of the survey results.

volatile voting

Highlights the instability and potential for sudden changes in voting patterns.

uncertain election forecast

Focuses on the lack of certainty and reliability in predicting the election outcome.

inconsistent opinion survey

Stresses the contradictions and discrepancies within the opinion survey data.

unreliable prediction market

Implies that the prediction market is not a dependable source of information.

fluctuating electoral projections

Suggests that the electoral projections are subject to constant changes and variations.

tenuous electoral assessment

Indicates that the electoral assessment is weak and lacks a solid foundation.

capricious referendum

Highlights the whimsical and impulsive nature of the referendum outcome.

unforeseeable vote

Emphasizes the inability to anticipate or predict the vote's result.

FAQs

How can I use "unpredictable poll" in a sentence?

You can use "unpredictable poll" to describe a survey or election where the outcome is difficult to foresee. For example: "The latest "unpredictable poll" suggests a close race."

What are some alternatives to "unpredictable poll"?

Alternatives include "erratic survey", "volatile voting", or "uncertain election forecast", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What factors contribute to an "unpredictable poll"?

Several factors can cause a poll to be unpredictable, including low sample sizes, rapidly changing public opinion, undecided voters, and external events influencing voter behavior.

How reliable are "unpredictable polls" for forecasting election outcomes?

"Unpredictable polls" are inherently unreliable as predictors of election outcomes. They highlight the uncertainty in the political landscape, suggesting caution in interpreting any single poll as definitive.