consistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "consistent" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is reliable and maintains their standards. For example: "John has always been a consistent employee, performing his duties with dedication and efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Forbes ranks it as the second-largest private company in the country, after Cargill, and its consistent profitability has made David and Charles Koch—who, years ago, bought out two other brothers—among the richest men in America.

The Economist

I have not been consistent enough for the first part of the season but don't forget that I am sixth in the race [to the ATP World Tour Finals].

The Guardian - Sport

I will do everything I can [to be more consistent] but I think it's good to have the big titles and then maybe lose first round, than play in the quarter-finals [all the time].

The Guardian - Sport

The latest Chilcot report concludes that while it is feasible to design a legally compliant regime, the use of intercept evidence would not be consistent with previous operational requirements and would incur significant costs and risks for uncertain benefits in terms of increased numbers of successful prosecutions.

The Guardian

"The increase has been consistent... and demand on the [phone] line keeps going up and up and up," she said.

The Guardian

She expressed her regret that some parties in the Assembly remained opposed to the NCA operating with its full range of powers in Northern Ireland but said that the "UK government completely accepts the crucial importance of ensuring that NCA's operations in Northern Ireland are fully consistent with the devolution settlement.

The Guardian

The school had no consistent policies for a child with her difficulties and there was a marked contrast between the attitudes of different teachers.

The Guardian

The judges said the, "consistent deliveries of stunning photography, in-depth analysis and respected columnists has become the hallmark across all the Guardian's media platforms".

The Guardian

But both said all action taken by the Australian government was consistent with its international obligations, a claim fervently contested by human rights groups and opposition politicians.

The Guardian

Back in London, I find a 2008 paper on morgellons in the journal Dermatologic Therapy that describes patients picking "at their skin continuously in order to 'extract' an organism"; "obsessive cleaning rituals, showering often" and individuals going "to many physicians, such as infectious disease specialists and dermatologists" – all behaviours "consistent with DOP".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However critics say the "piecemeal" policy is ineffective on its own, and called for consistent application of other measures instead, including a return of the banned drinkers register and the continuation of temporary beat locations (TBLs), where police question customers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data or processes, use "consistent" to emphasize reliability and replicability. For example: "The research findings were consistent across multiple trials."

Common error

Avoid using "consistent" when you mean "constant". "Consistent" implies agreement or a lack of contradiction, while "constant" refers to something that remains unchanged over time.

Linguistic Context

The word "consistent" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of regularity, reliability, or agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "consistent" is an adjective frequently used to denote regularity, reliability, and agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use in the English language. Its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into various contexts, from news reports to formal business documents and scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, remember that "consistent" differs from "constant", emphasizing agreement rather than unchanging permanence. When in doubt, consider alternatives such as "uniform", "regular", or "stable" to precisely convey your intended meaning. "Consistent" use ensures clarity and strengthens your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uniform

This alternative emphasizes sameness or regularity across different instances.

regular

This suggests a predictable or habitual pattern.

stable

This implies a state of not changing or fluctuating.

dependable

This highlights the quality of being reliable and trustworthy.

coherent

This focuses on the logical connection and clarity of elements.

predictable

This describes something that happens as expected.

constant

This refers to something that remains the same over time.

unvarying

This indicates a lack of change or variation.

harmonious

This implies agreement or compatibility between different elements.

compatible

This suggests the ability to exist or work together without conflict.

FAQs

How to use "consistent" in a sentence?

You can use "consistent" to describe something that is reliable and doesn't change much, like "a consistent effort" or "consistent results".

What can I say instead of "consistent"?

You can use alternatives like "uniform", "regular", or "stable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "consistent results" or "constant results"?

"Consistent results" usually refers to results that are similar each time, while "constant results" implies results that do not change at all. Choose the one that fits your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "consistent" and "compatible"?

"Consistent" implies agreement or a lack of contradiction within a set of things. "Compatible" suggests the ability of different things to exist or work together harmoniously.