generally consistent

USAGE SUMMARY

'generally consistent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that remains the same in most situations in comparison to something else. For example, "The results of the experiment were generally consistent across all three trials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These demographics are generally consistent with national patterns.

The New York Times

Crack is an awful drug, but what you buy on the streets is generally consistent.

The Guardian

It is generally consistent with other evidence available to the royal commission".

The Guardian

The accounts of about a dozen witnesses were generally consistent with Officer Rozier's, a police official said.

The New York Times

Results: Expression measurements were generally consistent across platforms.

Molecular Genetics and Metabolism

Patterns of recruitment synchrony were generally consistent with management boundaries.

Fisheries Research

The trend was generally consistent across the two syllables.

Lingua Sinica

They are generally consistent with the real land use maps.

Environmental Systems Research

Rowe's findings are generally consistent with what my friends at other news outlets have found.

TechCrunch

The numerical results are generally consistent with those apparent in shaking table test.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

These results are generally consistent with the results of other studies and with theory.

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "generally consistent", consider clarifying the degree or nature of the inconsistencies to provide a more precise understanding. For example, specify whether the inconsistencies are minor or significant.

Common error

Avoid using "generally consistent" when the data or observations show significant or frequent inconsistencies. In such cases, it would be more accurate to describe the specific variations and patterns of inconsistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally consistent" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the extent to which something aligns or agrees with something else. It indicates a high degree of agreement, but allows for minor variations or exceptions. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is suitable for describing trends and results that hold true overall, even with small discrepancies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally consistent" is a valuable phrase for describing scenarios where there is a high degree of similarity or agreement, but not perfect uniformity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in scientific and news contexts. To enhance clarity, always consider specifying the nature and extent of any inconsistencies. Alternatives such as "broadly similar" or "largely in agreement" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broadly similar

Indicates a general resemblance, allowing for some differences.

approximately the same

Highlights the lack of precision or exactness in similarity.

mostly uniform

Emphasizes a high degree of similarity with minor variations.

typically matching

Emphasizes that instances usually correspond, but not always.

largely in agreement

Highlights the aspect of agreement with some exceptions.

fairly congruent

Suggests a reasonable level of correspondence or alignment.

substantially equivalent

Suggests that items are alike in all important respects.

commonly aligned

Focuses on the alignment or arrangement, with a connotation of usual occurrence.

ordinarily harmonious

Implies a state of agreement or concord that is typical or expected.

moderately coherent

Indicates a reasonable degree of logical connection or consistency.

FAQs

How can I use "generally consistent" in a sentence?

You can use "generally consistent" to describe results, findings, or patterns that are largely the same, with minor variations. For example, "The experimental results were "generally consistent" with the theoretical predictions."

What are some alternatives to saying "generally consistent"?

Alternatives include "broadly similar", "largely in agreement", or "mostly uniform" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "generally consistent" in formal writing?

Yes, "generally consistent" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific, academic, and professional contexts where precise descriptions of data and findings are required. Be sure to provide details on any inconsistencies to show precision.

What's the difference between "generally consistent" and "exactly consistent"?

"Generally consistent" implies that there are minor differences or exceptions, while "exactly consistent" means there are no differences at all. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of agreement you are describing.