Ebatäpselt

Ebatäpselt is an Estonian adverb meaning inexactly or imprecisely. It is formed with the negating prefix eb- attached to täpselt (exactly), and it is used to characterize statements, measurements, descriptions, or representations that lack precision.

Etymology and grammar: eb- is a common Estonian negation prefix, and täpselt is the adverb form of täpne (exact, precise). Ebatäpselt primarily modifies verbs or verb phrases (esitati ebatäpselt, öeldi ebatäpselt), but it can also refer to descriptions or data. The related adjective ebatäpne means inaccurate or imprecise, while the opposite term is täpne or täpselt.

Usage: In formal and informal contexts alike, ebatäpselt signals that something is not accurate and may require correction or clarification. It is commonly used in scientific reporting, journalism, and everyday speech to critique the precision of statements, measurements, or representations. In some cases, it can carry a mild evaluative tone, suggesting a need for verification without asserting intentional deception.

Examples:

- Tulemused esitati ebatäpselt, mis raskendas tulemuste tõlgendamist.

- Andmed olid esitatud ebatäpselt, seetõttu nõuti täiendavat kontrolli.

See term is part of a broader set of negational forms in Estonian that convey varying degrees of precision, and it complements other adverbs such as täpselt, väga täpselt ja ebatäpne (inaccurate in adjective form).