Unpräzisem

Unpräzisem is the dative singular inflection of the German adjective unpräzise, meaning imprecise or lacking precision. It is used to describe something that does not meet a standard of accuracy, such as measurements, statements, or procedures. The form appears when the adjective modifies a masculine or neuter noun in the dative case, typically after prepositions or with certain determiners, for example mit unpräzisem Messgerät or bei unpräzisem Vorgehen.

Etymology and meaning: unpräzise is formed from the negating prefix un- attached to präzise (precise). The resulting term denotes a lack of precision or exactness. In usage, it can describe instrumental reliability, methodological rigor, or the quality of information, and it is commonly found in technical, scientific, and critical writing as well as in everyday language.

Grammar and usage notes: The ending -em signals dative singular for masculine or neuter nouns in the uninflected, determiner-free position, as in mit unpräzisem Messer (masculine) or mit unpräzisem Messgerät (neuter). Other gender and case forms exist (e.g., unpräziser Bericht, unpräzises Messgerät in nominative/accusative), and feminine forms differ (e.g., unpräziser Beschreibung in the dative). The term is neutral in connotation but can carry evaluative or critical nuance depending on context.

Examples of usage:

- Mit unpräzisem Messgerät ergeben sich ungenaue Werte.

- Bei unpräzisem Vorgehen lassen sich Experimente schwer replizieren.

See also: Präzision, Ungenauigkeit, Unschärfe.