in an inconsistent manner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in an inconsistent manner" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the way something has been done or is going when it is not consistent - for example, when there are varying levels of success. Example: He has been completing his homework assignments in an inconsistent manner, with some being excellent and others being rushed and sloppy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"The files were extremely difficult to locate and were organized in an inconsistent manner," they wrote.

The Washington Post

Because Federal agencies sometimes present these citations in an inconsistent manner, the table cannot be considered all-inclusive.

Cornell University

Personal "papers"—the letters, notes, writings, manuscripts, and collected items acquired over a lifetime are a valuable resource to researchers, but should be approached with the understanding that individuals often collect and create material in an inconsistent manner.

Columbia University

To further complicate matters, laws are often created based on existing ones, forming a complex set of interdependent rules where changes made in one place can propagate to affect, sometimes in an inconsistent manner, many other laws.

Future Generation Computer Systems

Available test data on block shear behaviour of coped beams with double bolt-line connections are quite limited, and earlier investigations found that the test block shear capacities could not be accurately predicted by existing design rules which deal with this failure mode in an inconsistent manner.

Engineering Structures

Evidence suggested some tests were "carried out in an inconsistent manner", it added in a statement.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The food unfolds in a similarly inconsistent manner.

The New York Times

Those conflicting goals can play out in a bafflingly inconsistent manner.

The New York Times

In a typically inconsistent manner, the sweet Olive takes to the role of mistress with ease, which doesn't track with what we know about her (or even what we learn later about her past).

Huffington Post

He said initiatives intended to improve the process "are often implemented in a fragmented and inconsistent manner" and the scramble for funds exacerbated a lack of cooperation among the three military departments within the Pentagon.

The New York Times

But in the case where it behaved in the inconsistent manner, they went for the old object over the new one.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes or data collection, use "in an inconsistent manner" to highlight issues with reliability and comparability. For instance, 'Data was collected "in an inconsistent manner", making it difficult to draw firm conclusions.'

Common error

While grammatically sound, "in an inconsistent manner" can sometimes sound overly formal or verbose. Consider using simpler adverbs like "erratically" or "unevenly" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an inconsistent manner" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. It indicates a lack of uniformity or regularity in the execution of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in an inconsistent manner" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that describes actions lacking uniformity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is applicable across diverse fields, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While effective, remember to consider more concise alternatives, such as "erratically" or "unevenly", depending on the context to maintain clarity and impact. When used appropriately, this phrase effectively conveys a lack of standardization and potential consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an erratic fashion

Focuses more on the unpredictable nature of the inconsistency.

in an uneven way

Emphasizes the disparity and lack of balance in the way something is done.

in a varying style

Highlights the changes in style or approach that contribute to the inconsistency.

with fluctuating regularity

Specifies that the inconsistency lies in the fluctuating regularity of an action.

with sporadic consistency

Implies that there are moments of consistency, but they are not sustained.

in a disjointed fashion

Suggests a lack of connection and coherence in the way something is performed.

in a haphazard style

Conveys a sense of randomness and lack of planning.

in a patchy way

Implies that something is only consistent in certain areas or aspects, but not overall.

unpredictably

A more concise adverb emphasizing the lack of predictability.

sporadically

Highlights the infrequent and irregular nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in an inconsistent manner" to sound more concise?

Consider using alternatives such as "erratically", "unevenly", or "sporadically" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "in an inconsistent manner" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "in an inconsistent manner" can sometimes be perceived as verbose. In formal contexts, consider whether a more concise alternative would be more impactful.

What does it mean when something is done "in an inconsistent manner"?

It means that the way something is done lacks uniformity or regularity, leading to varying results or qualities. It implies a lack of standardization or a failure to adhere to a consistent method.

Can you provide an example of how to use "in an inconsistent manner" in a sentence?

You can say, "The data was recorded "in an inconsistent manner", which affected the reliability of the study." It highlights the non-uniform way data was gathered, compromising the study's trustworthiness.