erratic performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erratic performance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe inconsistent or unpredictable results in various contexts, such as sports, work, or technology. Example: "The team's erratic performance this season has left fans feeling frustrated and confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Justine Henin-Hardenne makes the semis despite an erratic performance.

The Guardian - Sport

His erratic performance of recent months is beginning to take its toll.

The Economist

But Mr. Duterte's erratic performance ended up seizing much of the attention.

The New York Times

McNown fell to 2-8 astarterrter with another erratic performance.

The New York Times - Sports

Galileo survived the encounter, but not without some radiation hits causing erratic performance of spacecraft electronics.

The New York Times - Science

That erratic performance probably ended with Humana's significantly disappointing 1999 results.

The New York Times

Moreover, inadequate modeling of the MLC in the planning system can be perceived as erratic performance.

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

This may explain the erratic performance of ammonia in ESP conditioning reported in the literature.

Chemical Engineering Science

Last week, Wornham had another erratic performance that might have jeopardized his starting position if Surace had immediate alternatives.

Princeton University

The model portfolio's erratic performance, of course, constitutes just one example — but was nevertheless more the rule than the exception.

The New York Times

Say what you will about A. J. Burnett, whose erratic performance last season gave critics plenty to work with.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as having an "erratic performance", provide specific examples or data points to illustrate the inconsistency.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something has an "erratic performance" without providing context or quantifiable evidence. This weakens your argument and leaves room for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erratic performance" functions as a noun phrase, where "erratic" modifies the noun "performance." It describes the quality of something's operation or output as being inconsistent or unpredictable. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sports

18%

Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erratic performance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe inconsistent or unpredictable results across diverse fields. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While generally neutral in register, it often conveys a negative assessment. For more formal settings, consider synonyms like "variable effectiveness". When using "erratic performance", ensure to offer specific supporting evidence to strengthen your claims. According to Ludwig's analysis, this phrase appears most commonly in news and media, sports, and business contexts, and originates from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistent performance

Direct synonym, emphasizes lack of uniformity.

unpredictable results

Focuses on the outcome rather than the process.

uneven track record

Implies a history of both successes and failures.

variable effectiveness

Highlights the fluctuating degree of success.

sporadic execution

Emphasizes the irregular and infrequent nature of successful completion.

fluctuating output

Focuses specifically on the changing levels of production or achievement.

unstable operation

Suggests a lack of reliability and potential for failure.

fitful functioning

Implies intermittent and unreliable activity.

capricious behavior

Attributes the inconsistency to arbitrary or whimsical actions.

mercurial delivery

Implies a rapid and unpredictable change in style or quality of output.

FAQs

How can I use "erratic performance" in a sentence?

You can use "erratic performance" to describe unpredictable or inconsistent results, such as "The company's "erratic performance" this quarter is concerning".

What are some alternatives to "erratic performance"?

Some alternatives include "inconsistent performance", "unpredictable results", or "uneven track record" depending on the specific context.

Is "erratic performance" formal or informal?

"Erratic performance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from more precise language depending on your needs. For example you could consider alternatives like "variable effectiveness" for some formal scenarios.

What causes erratic performance?

Erratic performance can be caused by various factors including skill deficiencies, external pressures, system failures or lack of resources. The cause depends largely on the specific context of the "erratic performance".