inconsistent

USAGE SUMMARY

"inconsistent" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that is not consistent, meaning that it is not steady or reliable. For example: "His behavior was highly inconsistent; one minute he was angry and the next he was laughing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The problem we've had is that we felt the government has not listened properly when we told them to help #bringbackourgirls; if they can't listen what hope do we have?" One of the most common issues raised by readers was the country's inconsistent supply of electricity.

The Guardian

"The approach has thus far focused on select policing operations and inconsistent football disciplinary measures".

The Guardian - Sport

"I think it is a little bizarre and also inconsistent because they have, all the time I was involved with Sutcliffe, refused him any concessions," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The Guardian

To apply different rules to the turnout issue would be, as the TUC has pointed out, wholly unfair and inconsistent with the way in which other votes are governed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Burke appeared inconsistent in his support for the Indians, Irish Catholics and American colonists, although he denounced the French revolution.

The Guardian - Books

These are areas that currently receive piecemeal and inconsistent services, with poor results and where, without the right interventions, the cost to the public purse in future will be significant.

The Guardian

Without such a long-term context to short-term decision-making, short-term targets risk being inconsistent with long-term plans, ultimately necessitating more drastic mitigation strategies in the future to counteract earlier policy short-sightedness," it said.

The Guardian

Surprisingly, he voted to uphold whole-life sentences in England and Wales – surprising because, three years earlier, in another case at the European court, he had said: "I consider that the time has come when the court should clearly affirm that the imposition of an irreducible life sentence, even on an adult offender, is in principle inconsistent with article three of the convention".

The Guardian

"Unfortunately, the assistance we received from other elements of the US government was inconsistent and disappointing over the course of three and a half years," she said.

The Guardian

While they declined to assess the scientific merit of the programme, the judges found that Japan's behaviour was inconsistent with a nation solely interested in whale research.

The Guardian

Labour critics and Lib Dems such as Simon Hughes call them "wobbly", inconsistent even on green issues and Europe and still with an authoritarian streak about what is good for people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inconsistent", ensure that the context clearly defines what is lacking consistency. For example, specify "inconsistent results" or "inconsistent behavior" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "inconsistent" as a general term for bad or wrong. "Inconsistent" specifically refers to a lack of uniformity or agreement, not overall quality.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "inconsistent" primarily functions to describe something that lacks uniformity, regularity, or agreement. As Ludwig shows, it modifies nouns to indicate a deviation from an expected pattern or standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inconsistent" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of uniformity or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in news, formal business, and scientific domains. When using "inconsistent", ensure that you provide clear context about what is lacking consistency. Alternatives such as "unpredictable", "variable", and "erratic" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey. Avoid using "inconsistent" simply as a synonym for bad or wrong; it specifically refers to a lack of uniformity or agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpredictable

Describes something that changes often and unexpectedly.

unstable

Implies a lack of stability and a tendency to change.

erratic

Emphasizes the irregularity and lack of pattern in something.

uneven

Highlights the lack of uniformity or regularity.

variable

Highlights the changing nature or fluctuation of something.

fluctuating

Stresses the ups and downs or variations.

contradictory

Focuses on elements that oppose each other.

capricious

Suggests impulsiveness and unpredictability.

shifting

Emphasizes the changes and adjustments over time.

discrepant

Indicates a notable difference or disagreement.

FAQs

How to use "inconsistent" in a sentence?

You can use "inconsistent" to describe something that varies or contradicts itself. For example, "The data showed "inconsistent results"" or "His stories were "inconsistent with the facts"".

What can I say instead of "inconsistent"?

You can use alternatives like "unpredictable", "variable", or "erratic" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "inconsistent data" or "unconsistent data"?

"Inconsistent data" is the correct term. "Unconsistent" is not a standard English word.

What's the difference between "inconsistent" and "contradictory"?

"Inconsistent" means lacking uniformity or regularity, while "contradictory" means directly opposing. Something that's contradictory actively opposes itself, while something that's inconsistent simply lacks a predictable pattern.