has been patchy

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'has been patchy' is both correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is inconsistent or full of gaps. For example: My sleep pattern has been patchy since I started working from home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But co-ordination has been patchy.

The Economist

Yet the recovery has been patchy.

The Economist

Implementation of the reform has been patchy.

The Economist

But their progress has been patchy.

The Economist

Even in towns, security has been patchy.

The Economist

Since 1997, progress has been patchy.

The New York Times

The record so far has been patchy.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the improvement has been patchy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Adoption of carbon trading, however, has been patchy.

The Guardian

The counter narrative has been patchy and dispersed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But so far its execution has been patchy".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been patchy", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what aspect or area "has been patchy".

Common error

Avoid using "has been patchy" without providing specific context. Instead of saying "The project has been patchy", specify which parts of the project have been inconsistent or incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been patchy" functions as a descriptor, indicating that something is not consistent, uniform, or complete. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts. The phrase often modifies nouns referring to processes, implementations, or qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been patchy" is a versatile phrase used to describe inconsistencies or unevenness in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media. While acceptable in most situations, it's crucial to provide specific context to avoid ambiguity. For more formal writing, consider using synonyms like "has been inconsistent" or "has been uneven". By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively communicate the concept of irregularity or incompleteness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been inconsistent

Replaces "patchy" with "inconsistent", emphasizing a lack of uniformity.

has been uneven

Substitutes "patchy" with "uneven", highlighting the lack of balance or regularity.

has been sporadic

Replaces "patchy" with "sporadic", suggesting infrequent or scattered occurrences.

has been erratic

Substitutes "patchy" with "erratic", emphasizing unpredictable variations.

has been intermittent

Replaces "patchy" with "intermittent", suggesting that it stops and starts at irregular intervals.

has been spotty

A more informal synonym for "patchy", indicating unevenness or incompleteness.

has been irregular

Replaces "patchy" with "irregular", denoting a lack of fixed pattern or consistency.

has been fragmented

Emphasizes the broken or disconnected nature of something, similar to "patchy".

has been piecemeal

Suggests that something has been done in stages or portions, leading to unevenness.

has been deficient

Indicates that something is lacking or incomplete, resulting in an uneven or "patchy" outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "has been patchy" in a sentence?

You can use "has been patchy" to describe something that is inconsistent or uneven. For example: "The internet connection has been patchy today" or "The implementation of the new policy has been patchy across different departments".

What are some alternatives to saying "has been patchy"?

Alternatives include "has been inconsistent", "has been uneven", or "has been sporadic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "has been patchy" in formal writing?

While "has been patchy" is generally acceptable, in more formal contexts, consider using synonyms such as "has been inconsistent" or "has been uneven" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "has been patchy" and "has been fragmented"?

"Has been patchy" implies inconsistency or unevenness, while "has been fragmented" suggests that something has been broken into separate, disconnected parts. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize inconsistency or disunity.