a clear pattern of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear pattern of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a noticeable or consistent trend or behavior in data, observations, or events. Example: "The research revealed a clear pattern of increased productivity among employees who worked flexible hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A clear pattern of regime use has therefore been established.

The Guardian

So over time I have a clear pattern of behaviour.

The Guardian - Tech

Prosecutors with a clear pattern of racial exclusions now face no penalty other than reversal.

The New York Times

He had his first success in 1950, producing images of DNA showing a clear pattern of spots.

The New York Times

"I was surprised to find such a clear pattern of predictable evolution across the entire animal kingdom".

The Guardian

But upon further review, he said, he found a clear pattern of the wage gap closing as careers wore on.

The New York Times

And those surveys, along with the earlier movie ratings, detected a clear pattern of enthusiasm among one age group: young teenagers, particularly males.

The New York Times

What surfaced was a clear pattern of denial and deception among top White House officials before, during and after the initial invasion of Iraq.

The New York Times

To some analysts, the Bush administration's actions follow a clear pattern of putting political back-scratching ahead of economic considerations in the trade arena.

The New York Times

They found a clear pattern of abnormalities, or a chemical signature in the patients with ME which could be used in future to diagnose patients.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This has become a clear pattern of behaviour, and it is ill befitting of a government that claims to want to have an open and honest debate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a clear pattern of", ensure that the evidence supporting the pattern is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. Provide concrete examples or data points to substantiate your claim.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of "a clear pattern of" if the supporting evidence is weak or limited. Qualify your statement to accurately reflect the strength of the evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear pattern of" functions as a noun phrase functioning as an adjective, often introducing an observation about recurring or consistent trends. It sets the stage for presenting evidence supporting the claim, which, according to Ludwig AI, should be explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a clear pattern of" is a versatile tool for highlighting recurring trends or behaviors, as evidenced by its widespread use across various domains, particularly in Science and News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and emphasizes the importance of providing concrete evidence to support the existence of any claimed pattern. While alternatives like "an obvious trend of" or "a distinct tendency towards" offer subtle variations in meaning, "a clear pattern of" remains a reliable and effective choice for indicating discernible regularity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an obvious trend of

Replaces "clear pattern" with "obvious trend", emphasizing the readily apparent nature of the trend.

a distinct tendency towards

Substitutes "clear pattern" with "distinct tendency", highlighting a directional bias.

an evident course of

Uses "evident course" instead of "clear pattern", suggesting a progression that is easily seen.

a noticeable series of

Replaces "pattern" with "series", focusing on a sequence of events that are easily observed.

a demonstrable regularity in

Changes "clear pattern" to "demonstrable regularity", stressing the proven, consistent nature of the occurrence.

a discernible uniformity among

Replaces "clear pattern" with "discernible uniformity", emphasizing the recognizable sameness within the data.

a marked consistency across

Uses "marked consistency" instead of "clear pattern", pointing to a notable steadiness or agreement.

a transparent structure of

Substitutes "pattern" with "structure" and uses "transparent" to imply easily understood organization.

a straightforward sequence of

Replaces "pattern" with "sequence" and describes it as "straightforward", indicating a simple, uncomplicated order.

a well-defined arrangement of

Uses "well-defined arrangement" instead of "clear pattern", highlighting a structured organization that is easy to recognize.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a clear pattern of" in a sentence?

Use "a clear pattern of" to introduce evidence of a recurring trend or behavior. Follow it with specific examples or data that support the existence of the pattern.

What are some alternatives to "a clear pattern of" that I can use in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "an obvious trend of", "a distinct tendency towards", or "an evident course of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a clear pattern of" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to describe a consistent trend or behavior that is supported by empirical evidence. Ensure that the evidence is presented clearly and objectively.

What's the difference between "a clear pattern of" and "a distinct pattern of"?

"A clear pattern of" emphasizes the ease with which the pattern can be seen, while "a distinct pattern of" emphasizes that the pattern is easily distinguishable from others. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the ease of observation or the pattern's uniqueness.