a widespread pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common or prevalent trend or behavior observed in a particular context or among a group of people. Example: "The study revealed a widespread pattern of dissatisfaction among employees regarding their work-life balance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This has created a widespread pattern of unsustainable water use and strained electrical grids.

The Guardian

"I found these statistics powerful evidence of a widespread pattern of unlawful stops," Judge Scheindlin noted.

The New York Times

— Texas authorities released court documents on Tuesday detailing accusations of a "widespread pattern" of physical and sexual abuse of children by a polygamous sect.

The New York Times

Other confidential Army documents have chronicled a widespread pattern of abuse involving prisoners in American custody in Iraq and Afghanistan that implicates more military units than previously known.

The New York Times

The report "reveals a widespread pattern of BPD officers stopping and detaining people on Baltimore streets without reasonable suspicion that they are involved in criminal activity.

The Guardian

Once analyzed, they showed a widespread pattern of abuse of overtime, rampant absenteeism and use of city cars for private purposes — city officials drove them home every night.

The New York Times

WIDENING RECORD OF ABUSE -- An Army summary of mistreatment and death of prisoners in American custody in Iraq and Afghanistan shows a widespread pattern of abuse involving more military units than previously disclosed.

The New York Times

Matthew Smith, the executive director of Fortify Rights, said the accounts were indicative of "a widespread pattern of death, torture, and exploitation, in many cases involving the complicity of Thai authorities".

The Guardian

Mourners who gathered at the Italian embassy on Saturday remembered Regeni as a scholar but also as a symbol of what they say is a widespread pattern of abuse by Egyptian security forces.

The Guardian

An Army summary of deaths and mistreatment involving prisoners in American custody in Iraq and Afghanistan shows a widespread pattern of abuse involving more military units than previously known.

The New York Times

A search of real estate records for the Harlem brownstones turned up a widespread pattern of buying a property and reselling it quickly for a much higher price, a practice known as flipping.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread pattern", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is exhibiting this pattern. Providing specific examples or data to support the claim enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread pattern" to describe a phenomenon based on limited observations or anecdotal evidence. Always substantiate the claim with reliable data or credible sources to avoid accusations of exaggeration or bias.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread pattern" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object. It describes a common or prevalent trend/behavior observed in a specific context. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is both grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

48%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread pattern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a common or prevalent trend. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It appears most often in news and scientific domains, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure to provide supporting evidence to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "a common trend" or "a prevalent occurrence" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use this phrase to communicate the significance of recurring phenomena.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common trend

Replaces 'pattern' with 'trend', focusing on the directional aspect of the phenomenon.

a prevalent occurrence

Substitutes 'widespread' with 'prevalent' and 'pattern' with 'occurrence', emphasizing the frequency of the event.

a general phenomenon

Replaces 'widespread pattern' with 'general phenomenon', highlighting the broad nature of the event.

a broad tendency

Changes 'widespread' to 'broad' and 'pattern' to 'tendency', focusing on the inclination towards a certain behavior.

a recurring motif

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the pattern, suggesting a design or theme.

a pervasive habit

Implies that the pattern is deeply ingrained and difficult to avoid, like a habit.

a typical manifestation

Suggests that the pattern is representative of a larger underlying cause.

a regular feature

Highlights the consistent and predictable nature of the pattern.

an extensive practice

Shifts the focus to the active implementation of the pattern, implying a deliberate action.

a global phenomenon

Highlights the worldwide nature of the pattern.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread pattern" to describe a common or frequently observed trend or behavior. For example: "The research revealed "a widespread pattern" of late payments among customers."

What are some alternatives to saying "a widespread pattern"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a common trend", "a prevalent occurrence", or "a general phenomenon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a common pattern" or "a widespread pattern"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "A common pattern" suggests something that occurs frequently, while ""a widespread pattern"" emphasizes its broad distribution or occurrence across a wide area or group.

What is the difference between "a widespread pattern" and "a widespread occurrence"?

"A widespread pattern" implies a recognizable form or arrangement, whereas "a widespread occurrence" simply refers to something happening frequently in many places. The former emphasizes structure, while the latter emphasizes frequency.