inaccuracy
C1formal, academic, journalistic, technical
Definition
Meaning
The quality or state of being incorrect, wrong, or not precise.
A specific instance or example of an error, mistake, or lack of precision in facts, details, measurements, or statements.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word can refer to both an abstract quality (uncountable) and a concrete instance (countable). It implies a deviation from truth or correctness, often with a focus on factual or measurable error.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally common and used in the same contexts.
Connotations
Neutral; implies a factual shortcoming. In formal criticism, it can carry a strong negative charge.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties. Slightly more common in written, analytical contexts than in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
inaccuracy in [sth]inaccuracy of [sth/measurement]correct/point out an inaccuracyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “margin of error/inaccuracy”
- “to be riddled with inaccuracies”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The auditor's report highlighted several inaccuracies in the financial statements.
Academic
The thesis was rejected due to fundamental inaccuracies in its core data.
Everyday
There's a small inaccuracy in the directions you gave me; the shop is on the left, not the right.
Technical
The sensor's inherent inaccuracy must be calibrated to within 0.5 millimetres.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- The data was inaccurately recorded by the first team.
American English
- The event was inaccurately portrayed in the documentary.
adjective
British English
- The report was inaccurate in several key details.
American English
- We received inaccurate information from the source.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The inaccuracy in his answer was easy to see.
- The newspaper printed a correction for the inaccuracy in yesterday's article.
- There is a slight inaccuracy in the total sum.
- The biography was criticised for its factual inaccuracies regarding the subject's early life.
- Any inaccuracy in the legal document could invalidate the contract.
- The historian meticulously checked the chronicles for any chronological inaccuracies.
- The margin of inaccuracy in these predictions is unacceptably high for policy-making.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
IN- (not) + ACCURACY = the state of NOT being accurate.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUTH IS A TARGET; inaccuracy is missing the mark. KNOWLEDGE IS A PRECISE MAP; inaccuracy is a distortion on the map.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'неаккуратность' (sloppiness, untidiness). Use 'неточность', 'ошибка', or 'погрешность' (for measurement).
- The countable/uncountable distinction is important: 'an inaccuracy' is 'неточность/ошибка', while 'inaccuracy' as a concept is 'неточность'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'inacuracy' (missing a 'c').
- Using 'inaccuracy' to describe a person's character flaw (use 'inattentiveness' or 'carelessness' instead).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest antonym for 'inaccuracy' in the context of data measurement?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Inaccuracy' means being wrong or incorrect (systematic error), while 'imprecision' refers to a lack of consistency or reproducibility in measurements (random error). A measurement can be precise but inaccurate.
Rarely. It is almost always negative, as it denotes a failure to be correct. In scientific contexts, 'acceptable inaccuracy' or 'margin of inaccuracy' can be neutral technical terms.
Yes, when referring to multiple specific errors or mistakes. The countable form is common in critiques and analyses (e.g., 'The book contains many historical inaccuracies').
It is moderately to highly formal. In everyday speech, people often use simpler words like 'mistake', 'error', or 'wrong'. 'Inaccuracy' is preferred in professional, academic, and technical writing.
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