a repeating pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a repeating pattern" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It describes a sequence or design that is repeated in a regular or predictable manner. Example: The tapestry was carefully woven with a repeating pattern of colorful flowers and leaves.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a repeating pattern.

The New York Times

Gill has noticed a repeating pattern.

The Guardian - Opinion

A ball's path can sometimes be a repeating pattern.

The New York Times

And in a much smaller form it makes a repeating pattern on the deep gray endpapers.

The New York Times - Books

The children preferred pairs with a repeating pattern of tiny sandwiches labeled "fresh buns".

The New York Times

It's a repeating pattern when women speak out on such issues.

The Guardian

"Only if you look carefully do you see that it's a repeating pattern.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a repeating pattern: Once again, North Korea's brinkmanship is working".

The New York Times

Pi is the number 3.1415926535… The digits continue forever without ever forming a repeating pattern.

The Guardian

They are often created using a repeating pattern of smaller units, such as nanoparticles.

MIT Technology Review

Gigantic cloudscapes roil over a repeating pattern of developments, freeways, chain stores.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or phenomena, use "a repeating pattern" to convey predictability and structure within seemingly random events or data.

Common error

Avoid using "a repeating pattern" when a simpler term like "pattern" or "sequence" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a repeating pattern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and correct phrase. It describes a sequence or design that is repeated regularly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a repeating pattern" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe sequences or designs that recur regularly. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, it serves to highlight predictable structures within various phenomena. While "a repeating pattern" is widely accepted, it's important to avoid overuse in scenarios where simpler terms suffice. Alternatives such as "recurring motif" or "cyclical sequence" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "a repeating pattern" remains a versatile and effective term for conveying recurrence and structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recurring cycle

Highlights the repeated cycle. It's pretty similar to "a repeating pattern".

pattern repetition

Highlights the pattern. It's pretty similar to "a repeating pattern".

recurring motif

Emphasizes a visual or thematic element that appears repeatedly.

cyclical sequence

Highlights the sequential and recurring nature of the pattern.

periodic occurrence

Focuses on the regularity and predictability of the pattern's appearance.

iterative cycle

Stresses the repetitive nature of the cycle and its incremental progression.

regular cadence

Implies a rhythmic and measured repetition.

recurrent theme

Highlights a central idea or concept that reappears throughout a work or situation.

successive iterations

Focuses on the repetition with slight modifications or refinements in each iteration.

repetitive structure

Emphasizes the structural aspect of the repeated elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "a repeating pattern" to describe phenomena with recurring elements, such as "The data revealed "a repeating pattern" of economic cycles" or "The artist used "a repeating pattern" of colors in the painting".

What is the difference between "a repeating pattern" and "a pattern repetition"?

"A repeating pattern" refers to a recognizable sequence that occurs multiple times, while "pattern repetition" emphasizes the act or process of the pattern being repeated. They are very similar and frequently interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to "a repeating pattern"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "recurring motif", "cyclical sequence", or "periodic occurrence".

Is it redundant to say "a repeating repeating pattern"?

Yes, saying "a repeating repeating pattern" is redundant. The term "repeating pattern" already implies that the pattern occurs more than once, so adding "repeating" again is unnecessary.