form and pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "form and pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the structure or arrangement of elements in various contexts, such as art, design, or writing. Example: "The artist's work beautifully illustrates the interplay of form and pattern, creating a visually striking composition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Messiaen finds sounds, form, and pattern that vanquish any thought that the soul can be destroyed.

The Guardian - Music

Each region is distinguished by the form and pattern of its constituent feathers.

Britannica

The overall effect is surprisingly upbeat, celebrating the ways fictions give life's chaos form and pattern.

The New York Times

We demonstrate that economic incentives do affect urban form and pattern, land prices and welfare measures.

Environmental Modelling & Software

He published "The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis" in 1952, describing aspects of his research on the development of form and pattern in living organisms.

Britannica

It culminates in "Metamorphosis III," a 23-foot-long color woodcut completed in 1968 that reviews the manipulations of form and pattern basic to Escher's vocabulary.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Stomata are formed and patterned by asymmetric cell divisions.

Stanford University

His solutions to the problem of how to represent the forms and patterns of nature changed throughout his career.

The Guardian - Arts

Three of the five movements are inspired by forms and patterns of Baroque dances, like the rhythmically lively Gavotte.

The New York Times - Arts

"I find it captivating," says Breger, "that grand tales are told by the minutest of forms and patterns that nature never expected us to witness.

Columbia University

Mr. Gottsleben's subject matter comes mostly from forms and patterns in nature, from the simplest symmetrical branch shape to the spiral, the most important symbol in his iconography.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about art or design, use "form and pattern" to discuss the visual organization of elements, emphasizing both the shapes and their arrangement to create a cohesive aesthetic.

Common error

Avoid using "form and pattern" when simpler alternatives like "shape" or "design" are more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "form and pattern" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It's employed to describe the arrangement and structure of elements, as seen in Ludwig's examples related to art, design, and scientific contexts. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "form and pattern" serves as a noun phrase used to describe the organization and appearance of something, emphasizing both shape and arrangement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly science, news, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "shape and design" or "structure and arrangement" exist, "form and pattern" specifically highlights the interplay between individual shapes and their organized repetition. The phrase exhibits a neutral to formal register, making it appropriate for professional and academic writing, offering writers a precise way to discuss visual and structural compositions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shape and design

Focuses more on the visual or structural aspects, omitting the idea of a recurring arrangement.

structure and arrangement

Highlights the organizational aspect rather than aesthetic qualities.

configuration and layout

Emphasizes spatial organization and arrangement.

appearance and order

Stresses visual presentation and systematic arrangement.

format and sequence

Highlights the arrangement of elements in a specific order.

style and motif

Relates more to artistic or decorative elements.

construction and composition

Emphasizes the way something is built or put together.

kind and type

Refers to classification by characteristics rather than physical arrangement.

model and template

Suggests a pre-existing structure or guide.

figure and delineation

Refers to the detailed outline and shape of something.

FAQs

How is "form and pattern" used in design?

In design, "form and pattern" are used to describe the visual structure and arrangement of elements in a composition, such as the shape of objects and their repeated arrangement to create visual interest or rhythm.

What are some alternatives to "form and pattern"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "shape and design", "structure and arrangement", or "configuration and layout".

Can "form and pattern" apply to abstract concepts?

Yes, while often used in visual contexts, "form and pattern" can also apply to abstract concepts like musical compositions or literary structures, referring to the underlying structure and recurring elements.

Is it redundant to use both "form" and "pattern"?

While "form" and "pattern" can overlap in meaning, using both emphasizes the combination of shape and its arrangement. If you only want to emphasize shape, it may be better to use "shape" by itself. If you only want to emphasize arrangement, it may be better to use "pattern" by itself.