apparent pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparent pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a pattern that seems to exist based on observation but may not be definitively proven or established. Example: "Upon reviewing the data, I noticed an apparent pattern in the results that warrants further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Once again, there is no apparent pattern.

The New York Times - Science

No apparent pattern emerges in the succession of digits.

The New Yorker

The apparent pattern has exposed Williams to widespread criticism.

The New York Times

The emphasis on law enforcement, however, does not satisfy those thinking of the scope of crimes past and the apparent pattern of violence.

The Guardian

Saturday's strikes were the latest in an apparent pattern of escalating attacks on medical facilities and doctors in the Syrian civil war, according to human rights organisations.

The Guardian

Another way to guard against spurious price patterns is to find a plausible explanation for why an apparent pattern should exist in the first place.

The New York Times

There is no apparent pattern among the affected schools, he said, but the source of the lead appeared to be old pipes.

The New York Times

There are many tantalising references to the MoD but no apparent pattern about what was released and what the figures signify.

The Guardian

Anxious residents of the Washington suburbs openly wondered today whether the deadly roving sniper who has killed nine people and critically wounded two might be about to change his apparent pattern and try his first weekend attack.

The New York Times

The root of fascination with pi is the fact that the ratio of the circle's two simplest measurable quantities – the distance around it and the distance across it – produces a number that is so complicated: its digital expansion continues for ever, churning out a sequence of digits with no apparent pattern.

The Guardian

In fact, some thinkers argue that this turn of mind, which evolved as a survival mechanism, ended up predisposing humans to believe in a deity, because when we can't find a natural cause for an apparent pattern or event, we posit a supernatural one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apparent pattern", ensure that you acknowledge the possibility that the pattern may not be definitively proven or may have underlying causes yet to be discovered. Qualifying your statement with phrases like "seemingly" or "ostensibly" can enhance accuracy and prevent misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions or making strong causal claims based solely on an "apparent pattern". Always corroborate your observations with additional evidence and rigorous analysis to ensure the pattern is not merely coincidental or spurious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparent pattern" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "apparent" modifies the noun "pattern". Ludwig AI confirms its role in describing observations or trends that are not yet fully substantiated, as seen in various examples across news and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apparent pattern" is a commonly used term to describe a trend or arrangement that seems to exist based on initial observations, but may not be definitively proven. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in both news and scientific contexts. To ensure accuracy, it's best to acknowledge the possibility that the pattern may not be fully substantiated and to avoid drawing definitive conclusions without further investigation. Alternatives such as "visible trend" or "noticeable regularity" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visible trend

Changes "pattern" to a more specific term indicating a direction of change, and "apparent" to "visible", denoting easy detectability.

noticeable trend

Replaces "pattern" with "trend" to suggest a general direction, and "apparent" with "noticeable" to convey something easily observed.

obvious regularity

Substitutes "pattern" for "regularity", emphasizing the predictable aspect, and "apparent" for "obvious", signaling clear visibility.

evident tendency

Replaces "pattern" with "tendency" to show a leaning towards a certain outcome, and "apparent" with "evident" suggesting clear visibility and proof.

discernible regularity

Changes "pattern" to "regularity" to focus on consistent behavior, and "apparent" to "discernible", meaning something that can be perceived or recognized.

detectable pattern

Swaps "apparent" for "detectable", emphasizing the ability to find or notice the pattern.

observable trend

Uses "trend" instead of "pattern" to indicate a direction over time, and "observable" instead of "apparent" highlighting the ability to be seen.

clear tendency

Employs "tendency" to indicate an inclination, and "clear" instead of "apparent" emphasizing the unambiguous nature.

noticeable regularity

Combines "noticeable" to indicate ease of observation with "regularity" to highlight predictable consistency.

surface pattern

By employing the word "surface", this option suggest that the pattern is only a superficial one.

FAQs

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

You can use "apparent pattern" to describe a trend or arrangement that seems to exist but might not be fully confirmed. For example: "There is an apparent pattern of escalating attacks on medical facilities." Or: "Another apparent pattern is the amplitude decrease between 90 km and 100 km."

What's a good alternative to "apparent pattern"?

Alternatives include "visible trend", "noticeable trend", or "obvious regularity" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "seeming pattern" instead of "apparent pattern"?

Yes, "seeming pattern" is a valid alternative. While "apparent" suggests something easily visible or understood, "seeming" implies that the pattern might not be entirely real or accurate. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize visibility or potential deception.

What is the difference between an "apparent pattern" and a "confirmed pattern"?

An "apparent pattern" is based on initial observations and may require further investigation to verify its validity. A "confirmed pattern", on the other hand, has been rigorously tested and validated through data analysis, experiments, or other forms of verification.