are not steady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not steady" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks stability or consistency, such as emotions, performance, or physical objects. Example: "The stock prices are not steady, fluctuating significantly throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Can the Yankees succeed if Contreras and his pitching mates are not steady?

The New York Times - Sports

But the funding of Australian hospitals and schools is not reasonable, and these are not steady circumstances.

The Guardian

This capability proved extremely useful in all applications where the fuel supply and/or fuel value are not steady.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Such vortices are not steady but move periodically very slowly in comparison to the impeller rotational timescale.

Chemical Engineering Science

This type of chart is employed to monitor the stable ratio ((SD/mu)) if both (mu) and SD are not steady.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Our proposed method becomes ideal when capturing images where focusing on the subject becomes difficult (i.e., user is in a moving vehicle, attempting to capture a fixed subject outside. The user's hands are not steady).

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

These control conditions in our simulation are not "steady-state" simulation.

BMC Physiology

And feelings aren't steady state.

The New Yorker

"It's an area publishers aren't steady on the ground with yet," said Bill LeBlond, the editorial director for food and wine at Chronicle Books.

The New York Times - Food

While the agency's bookings have been increasing, they aren't steady yet; Ali has kept her day job, as a teacher's assistant.

The New Yorker

His aren't steady, though, and his first attempt is woeful.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or data, use "are not steady" to indicate fluctuations or instability over a period. For instance, "Sales figures are not steady during the holiday season".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "are not steady" can sound less formal in certain professional contexts. Consider using synonyms like "unstable" or "inconsistent" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not steady" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the subject lacks stability, consistency, or predictability. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Consider the example "The optical emissions are not steady but included anti-sunward propagation."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not steady" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adjective phrase used to denote a lack of stability, consistency, or predictability. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and readily applicable in English writing. While predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse applications. To enhance clarity or formality, consider alternatives like "are unstable" or "are inconsistent". Keep in mind that "are not steady" should be used with plural subjects, as opposed to "is not steady" used with singular subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unstable

Replaces "steady" with a more direct synonym, "unstable".

are inconsistent

Focuses on the lack of consistency rather than stability.

are fluctuating

Highlights the changing nature of the subject.

lack stability

Uses a verb phrase to express the absence of stability.

are unreliable

Emphasizes the untrustworthiness due to lack of steadiness.

are erratic

Suggests unpredictable and irregular movement or behavior.

are variable

Focuses on the changing nature or variance of something.

are not constant

Emphasizes the lack of consistency over time.

are shaky

Implies a lack of physical or metaphorical firmness.

are precarious

Highlights the vulnerability and risk associated with the lack of steadiness.

FAQs

How can I use "are not steady" in a sentence?

You can use "are not steady" to describe things that lack stability or consistency. For example, "The team's performance levels "are not steady", varying from game to game".

What can I say instead of "are not steady"?

Alternatives include "are unstable", "are inconsistent", or "are fluctuating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is not steady" instead of "are not steady"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is not steady" for singular subjects (e.g., "The heartbeat is not steady"), and "are not steady" for plural subjects (e.g., "The test results are not steady").

What is the difference between "are not steady" and "are unsteady"?

"Are not steady" generally implies a lack of consistency or stability over time or across instances, while "are unsteady" often refers to a physical lack of balance or firmness. Although, "are unsteady" can also be used metaphorically.