inconsistent quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inconsistent quality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the quality of a product or service varies and is not uniform. Example: "The restaurant received mixed reviews due to its inconsistent quality, with some dishes praised while others were criticized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Throughout Eataly, shoppers are confronted with a combination of artisanal and industrial products of wildly inconsistent quality.

The New York Times - Travel

So far, scientific proof that alternative treatments work has been limited and mixed, with questions over proper dosages, inconsistent quality and long-term safety.

The New York Times - Health

Despite these shortcomings and the inconsistent quality of the cast's period-music entr'actes, some of the play's sense of snippy fun comes through.

The New York Times

Thus, inconsistent quality of the combinations made a number of dishes unacceptable in their entirety, although some of the parts were decent.

The New York Times

Elsewhere, the narrative bounces among several characters' perspectives, which gives it a jumpy and inconsistent quality, one heightened by questions about the twins' identities.

The New York Times - Books

The inconsistent quality of cooking oil fuel, he said, means that "it may contain impurities and it may be too viscous," especially for newer, more complex diesel engines with injection systems.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"But inconsistent qualities are signals that it could be contaminated.

Huffington Post

One author writes: Logical atheism holds that the various conceptions of gods, such as the personal god of Christianity, are ascribed logically inconsistent qualities.

Wikipedia

Hybrid plants will produce seeds that may have different or inconsistent qualities compared to the parent plant.

WikiHow

It can mean they have inconsistent teaching quality, particularly in the core departments.

The Guardian

"It is no trivial task to answer the question: healthy to whom?" What is more, the data can be inconsistent in quality and quantity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing product performance or service standards, use "inconsistent quality" to clearly communicate that the level of quality varies and is not dependable. Be specific by detailing when and where quality tends to fluctuate.

Common error

Avoid using "inconsistent quality" as a general statement of poor quality. "Inconsistent quality" indicates variability, not necessarily inferiority. If the quality is consistently low, describe it as "poor quality" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inconsistent quality" functions primarily as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate that the quality is not uniform or reliable. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inconsistent quality" is a widely used and grammatically sound way to describe something whose quality varies, rather than being uniformly good or bad. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using "inconsistent quality", be sure to communicate that the quality is variable, not simply poor. Alternatives like "variable quality" or "uneven quality" can be used to convey similar meanings. This phrase serves to inform about the lack of uniformity in quality, prompting caution or investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

variable quality

Focuses on the characteristic of changing quality, rather than the lack of uniformity.

uneven quality

Highlights the lack of uniformity in quality.

fluctuating quality

Emphasizes the unpredictable changes in quality.

erratic quality

Implies irregularity and unpredictability in quality.

patchy quality

Suggests that good quality is interspersed with poor quality.

unstable quality

Highlights the lack of reliability and permanence in quality.

sporadic quality

Emphasizes the intermittent and infrequent nature of good quality.

non-uniform quality

Directly states the lack of uniformity in quality.

discordant quality

Suggests a lack of harmony or agreement in the quality observed.

unpredictable quality

Focuses on the inability to foresee the level of quality.

FAQs

How can I use "inconsistent quality" in a sentence?

You can use "inconsistent quality" to describe products, services, or performances that vary in quality. For example: "The restaurant received mixed reviews due to its "inconsistent quality"."

What's a good alternative to "inconsistent quality"?

Alternatives include "variable quality", "uneven quality", or "fluctuating quality", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "inconsistent quality" mean?

"Inconsistent quality" means that the level of quality is not uniform or reliable; it varies from one instance to another. This is different from consistently poor quality, where the quality is always low.

How does "inconsistent quality" differ from "poor quality"?

"Inconsistent quality" implies variability, meaning the quality sometimes meets expectations and sometimes doesn't. "Poor quality" suggests that the quality is always below the acceptable standard. Therefore, the phrases are not interchangeable.