a persistent pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a persistent pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a recurring or consistent trend or behavior observed over time. Example: "The data revealed a persistent pattern of increased sales during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Participants' polygenic scores were associated with their cognitive and self-control skills, academic difficulties and truancy from school when they were school-aged and could also predict a persistent pattern of antisocial behavior that occurs in childhood and persists into adulthood.

Duke University

But such a persistent pattern of postseason underachievement remained a major blemish on Manning's resume.

The Guardian - Sport

In the meantime, he said, "it's just been a persistent pattern of lingering weakness in the job market".

The New York Times

A persistent pattern of bias has resulted in women being underrepresented in the firm's management ranks, the complaint said.

The New York Times

"I am writing to inform you about a persistent pattern of noncompliance," Mr. Schneiderman wrote, according to the letter.

The New York Times

Patrick Mercer, the Conservative homeland security spokesman, said he was told by Greater Manchester police there was now a persistent pattern of such suspects causing serious concern.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

She maintains that leaks about the bin Laden raid and the cyber war against Iran show a "consistent, persistent pattern to put Obama in a a good light... but it puts lives at risk".

Huffington Post

The polar view maps show a decrease in the local Hurst exponent values at all high magnetic latitudes approaching and during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm suggesting a change in the scaling features of the geomagnetic field fluctuations from a more persistent to a less persistent pattern.

Earth, Planets and Space

In conclusion, the present study points to a rather persistent pattern of problematic substance use with a number of associated and predictive psychosocial features that both can be assessed in the community as a first step for the identification of individuals who are in danger of developing long-term risk behaviours in adulthood.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

S-nitrosoglutathione increased NO for a longer period (Fig. 1B) but SNP gave rise to a more persistent pattern of NO generation (Fig. 1C).

AoB PLANTS

This is a very persistent pattern.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a persistent pattern" to describe behaviors, trends, or phenomena that consistently reappear over time. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While versatile, "a persistent pattern" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "always" or "usually" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a persistent pattern" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in academic research, news reporting, and describing behavioral tendencies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a persistent pattern" is a versatile phrase used to describe recurring trends or behaviors across diverse fields, from science and academia to news and media. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal and neutral contexts. While semantically related alternatives like "recurring trend" or "consistent trend" exist, "a persistent pattern" offers a distinct emphasis on the ongoing and enduring nature of the described phenomenon. Be mindful of overuse in casual conversation where simpler terms might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a recurring trend

Replaces 'persistent pattern' with a focus on the trend repeating.

a consistent trend

Substitutes 'persistent pattern' with an emphasis on consistency.

an established pattern

Replaces 'persistent' with 'established', suggesting a well-recognized pattern.

a continuing trend

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the trend.

a regular feature

Replaces 'pattern' with 'feature', highlighting its regularity.

a repeated occurrence

Emphasizes the repetition of an event or phenomenon.

a predictable sequence

Highlights the predictability of the pattern.

a typical manifestation

Replaces 'pattern' with 'manifestation', suggesting a typical example.

a recognized habit

Focuses on an established and acknowledged habit.

a common recurrence

Highlights how frequently something recurs.

FAQs

How can I use "a persistent pattern" in a sentence?

You can use "a persistent pattern" to describe recurring behaviors or trends. For example, "The study revealed a persistent pattern of late arrivals among the morning shift employees."

What are some alternatives to "a persistent pattern"?

Alternatives include "recurring trend", "consistent trend", or "established pattern" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "persistent and consistent pattern"?

While both words reinforce the idea of regularity, using both "persistent" and "consistent" together can be redundant. Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

What is the difference between "a persistent pattern" and "an isolated incident"?

"A persistent pattern" refers to something that happens repeatedly, while "an isolated incident" refers to a single, non-recurring event.