inconsistent attitude

USAGE SUMMARY

"inconsistent attitude" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a lack of consistency or coherence in one's behavior or beliefs. Example: The employee's inconsistent attitude towards work, sometimes showing great enthusiasm and other times being completely disengaged, made it difficult for his co-workers to rely on him.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Researchers also found that fake accounts often betray an inconsistent attitude toward topics over time.

MIT Technology Review

He brands Mr Murdoch old-fashioned, talks about his inconsistent attitude towards his children and describes how the Murdoch family have a "weird" habit of believing what they read in the newspapers.

The Guardian

Jerome's seemingly inconsistent attitude toward some books he classifies as "apocrypha" has led scholars to posit a development in Jerome's canonical theory, such that his earlier position was accepting of books that he later excluded, and to suppose that Jerome's use of the word "apocrypha" in the Prologus Galeatus relied on a neutral definition of the term.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, the present research highlights inconsistent attitudes and opinions on the moral and spiritual issues surrounding HIV/AIDS; such inconsistencies may serve as a barrier to a united faith-based initiative in Trinidad.

BMC Public Health

Brecht's strongest theatrical effects were created through the juxtaposition of inconsistent attitudes in a character.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The focus is on the 'waste-to-energy' approach; various criteria for this approach are discussed, as well as the inconsistent attitudes about waste management approaches that are present in various countries in the European Union.

Journal of Cleaner Production

†Inadequate knowledge and inconsistent attitudes and behaviour.

British Medical Journal

However, their knowledge was poor, many expressed inconsistent attitudes, and their ability to meet the demand of potential users is limited.

BMC Health Services Research

However, mixed messages about the consequences of prenatal alcohol consumption have resulted in inconsistent attitudes and practices amongst some healthcare practitioners.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Unclear policies or inconsistent attitudes regarding risk assessment may hinder a researcher's ability to anticipate and address the human subject protections needed when designing a research protocol.

BMC Medical Ethics

These studies also demonstrated that gynecologists and pediatricians often had misinformed or inconsistent attitudes toward alcohol exposure during pregnancy such as 'it is tolerable to consume low doses of alcohol in cases involving a healthy pregnancy' (a misinformed attitude).

Alcohol and Alcoholism

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's actions, use "inconsistent attitude" to highlight a key trait, showing how this inconsistency impacts their relationships or decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "inconsistent attitude" when you mean ambivalence. Ambivalence implies mixed feelings, while an inconsistent attitude suggests unpredictable shifts in feeling or behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inconsistent attitude" functions as a noun phrase, where "inconsistent" modifies "attitude". Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inconsistent attitude" describes a lack of uniformity in behavior or belief. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable. While it can suggest negativity, it could also imply adaptability. Related phrases like "variable disposition" and "erratic mindset" capture similar meanings. When writing, ensure you're not confusing it with ambivalence. The phrase is used across various fields, with the most frequent ones being science, news and media and academic sources. Be aware of these nuances when incorporating it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

variable disposition

Emphasizes the changing nature of the attitude.

erratic mindset

Focuses on the unpredictable nature of the attitude.

wavering outlook

Highlights the fluctuating perspective.

unpredictable stance

Underscores the lack of stability in the attitude.

capricious temperament

Implies a whimsical and impulsive nature to the attitude.

mutable viewpoint

Highlights the changeable aspect of the perspective.

fluctuating sentiment

Focuses on the changing emotional aspect of the attitude.

shifting perspective

Emphasizes the changing viewpoint or angle.

unstable mentality

Highlights the lack of mental steadiness.

changeable disposition

Focuses on the ability to change one's inherent qualities.

FAQs

How can I effectively illustrate an "inconsistent attitude" in writing?

Show, don't tell. Instead of stating that a character has an "inconsistent attitude", depict them behaving in contradictory ways in different situations. For example, they might be generous one day and stingy the next.

What's the difference between having an "inconsistent attitude" and being hypocritical?

An "inconsistent attitude" refers to a lack of uniformity in one's beliefs or behaviors, while hypocrisy involves claiming to have certain beliefs or moral standards but acting in a way that contradicts them.

Is it always negative to have an "inconsistent attitude"?

Not necessarily. While it can suggest unreliability or confusion, an "inconsistent attitude" can also indicate adaptability or open-mindedness, depending on the context. Use "flexible mindset" as an alternative in that case.

What are some other words that describe a person with an "inconsistent attitude"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you could use words like "capricious", "mercurial", "fickle", or "unpredictable". You can also consider "variable disposition".