has been spotty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been spotty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been inconsistent or irregular over a period of time. Example: "The internet connection has been spotty lately, making it difficult to work from home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Detection has been spotty.

The Economist

But their record has been spotty.

The New York Times

His track record lately has been spotty.

The New York Times

His record of staying healthy since then has been spotty.

The New York Times - Sports

But so far this year, Nicklaus's play has been spotty.

The New York Times - Sports

Hip-hop has left a mark, too, though it has been spotty and faint.

The New York Times - Arts

The state's recovery from recession has been spotty and uneven, a pattern seen in many places.

The New York Times

The record of the club pros in recent P.G.A. Championships has been spotty.

The New York Times - Sports

Since "The Rhythm of the Saints," Simon's career has been spotty.

The New Yorker

Yet the ability of colleges there to attract and keep the top players has been spotty.

The New York Times - Sports

Uranium's influence has been spotty but powerful in the rural West.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been spotty" to describe situations where performance, quality, or availability varies noticeably over time. It is particularly effective when discussing trends or track records.

Common error

While "has been spotty" is widely understood, reserve it for contexts that aren't overly formal. In business reports or academic papers, consider stronger or more precise alternatives such as "has been inconsistent" or "has been unreliable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been spotty" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate inconsistency or irregularity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sports

15%

Business

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been spotty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something inconsistent or irregular. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. While widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "has been inconsistent" or "has been unreliable" in academic or highly professional settings. The phrase's prevalence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its acceptability, ensuring effective communication in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been patchy

Similar to spotty, implying intermittent or scattered occurrences.

has been uneven

Emphasizes the lack of uniformity or regularity.

has been inconsistent

Replaces 'spotty' with a more general term for lack of consistency.

has been intermittent

Stresses the on-again, off-again nature of the subject.

has been irregular

Highlights the absence of a fixed pattern or schedule.

has been erratic

Suggests unpredictable variations in performance or behavior.

has lacked consistency

Directly points out the absence of consistent performance.

has been unreliable

Focuses on the lack of dependability.

has fluctuated

Highlights the ups and downs, emphasizing variability.

has varied

Indicates changes and differences over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been spotty" to describe something that is inconsistent or irregular. For example, "The internet connection "has been spotty" lately, making it difficult to work from home."

What are some alternatives to "has been spotty"?

You can use alternatives like "has been inconsistent", "has been erratic", or "has been uneven" depending on the context.

Is "has been spotty" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "has been spotty" might be too informal for some academic or business contexts. Consider more precise alternatives such as "has lacked consistency" or "has been unreliable".

What does it mean when someone says something "has been spotty"?

When someone says something ""has been spotty"", it means it's been inconsistent, irregular, or unreliable. The performance or quality has varied significantly over time.