is sometimes arbitrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is sometimes arbitrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not fixed or determined and can vary under certain circumstances. Example: "The criteria for selection is sometimes arbitrary, depending on the preferences of the judges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is generally a consequence of time being modeled by a parameter in the system being analyzed, where there is no "proper time": the direction of the arrow of time is sometimes arbitrary.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Unfortunately, steering recommendations are sometimes arbitrary, like in the case of pasture management, where 50 trees per hectare constitute an upper limit to qualify for subsidies.

Biological Conservation

This classification of genes was sometimes arbitrary as for some genes the putative function was unknown (e.g. 33 kDA secretory protein).

BMC Plant Biology

Although timeline thresholds given in treatment guidelines are sometimes arbitrary and controversial, longer delays for surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy have all been proven to be associated with poorer breast cancer outcomes including higher risks of recurrence and mortality [ 6, 8, 9, 12, 13].

BMC Cancer

Time limits are sometimes arbitrary.

WikiHow

"There are so many visual practitioners whose work we don't know," she says in the clip, "and the reason is sometimes brutally arbitrary".

Vice

The transfer of the treasury to Athens is sometimes used as an arbitrary demarcation between the Delian League and the Athenian Empire.

Wikipedia

This suggests that beauty is a less arbitrary notion than is sometimes claimed.

The Economist

But the court was confronted with the task of drawing, as this court has recognized, what are sometimes inevitably arbitrary lines.

The New York Times

The layout, with multiple sections and subparagraphs and a somewhat arbitrary choice of fonts, is sometimes difficult to navigate.

Critical Care

Moreover, quarantine was sometimes applied in an arbitrary and discriminatory fashion, targeting lower socioeconomic classes and racial minorities.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing the phrase with stronger or more specific terms like "random", "subjective", or "discretionary" if they better capture the intended meaning. For instance, "the decision is sometimes arbitrary" could be refined to "the decision is sometimes subjective, depending on the judge's interpretation".

Common error

Avoid using "is sometimes arbitrary" as a vague critique without specifying why something appears arbitrary. Provide concrete examples or explanations to support your assertion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is sometimes arbitrary" functions as a descriptive qualifier, indicating that a particular subject lacks consistent rationale or predictability in certain instances. As supported by Ludwig AI, its meaning suggests a degree of randomness or subjectivity. Examples show usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is sometimes arbitrary" is a versatile phrase used to express a lack of consistent rationale or predictability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including Science, News & Media, and Wiki sources. While offering a neutral register, it's crucial to provide specific context when using it to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "can be occasionally subjective" or "may be periodically random" can offer more precise meanings. Understanding these nuances allows for more effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be occasionally subjective

Replaces "arbitrary" with "subjective" and "sometimes" with "occasionally", focusing on personal interpretation rather than randomness.

may be periodically random

Substitutes "arbitrary" with "random" and "sometimes" with "periodically", highlighting the lack of a predictable pattern.

is at times discretionary

Replaces "arbitrary" with "discretionary" and "sometimes" with "at times", emphasizing the role of choice and judgement.

can be sporadically unjustified

Replaces "arbitrary" with "unjustified" and "sometimes" with "sporadically", focusing on the lack of a valid reason or basis.

is occasionally inconsistent

Replaces "arbitrary" with "inconsistent" and "sometimes" with "occasionally", highlighting the lack of uniformity or predictability.

may be intermittently groundless

Substitutes "arbitrary" with "groundless" and "sometimes" with "intermittently", emphasizing the absence of a foundation or justification.

is now and then capricious

Replaces "arbitrary" with "capricious" and "sometimes" with "now and then", focusing on impulsiveness and unpredictability.

can be randomly determined

Focuses on the randomness aspect by directly stating that something "can be randomly determined".

is subject to individual preference

Shifts the focus to subjectivity by stating that something "is subject to individual preference".

lacks consistent rationale

Emphasizes the absence of a clear or logical basis by stating that something "lacks consistent rationale".

FAQs

How can I use "is sometimes arbitrary" in a sentence?

You can use "is sometimes arbitrary" to indicate that a rule, decision, or process lacks a consistent or logical basis and may vary depending on circumstances. For example, "The enforcement of the policy is sometimes arbitrary, depending on the supervisor on duty."

What are some alternatives to "is sometimes arbitrary"?

You can use alternatives like "can be occasionally subjective", "may be periodically random", or "is at times discretionary" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is sometimes arbitrary" or "is often arbitrary"?

Both "is sometimes arbitrary" and "is often arbitrary" are grammatically correct, but they convey different frequencies. "Sometimes" indicates that something is arbitrary on occasion, while "often" implies it's arbitrary more frequently. Choose the word that best reflects the actual frequency.

What does it mean when something "is sometimes arbitrary"?

When something "is sometimes arbitrary", it means that it's not based on a fixed rule, law, or principle, and may vary without any apparent reason. It suggests a degree of randomness or subjectivity in its application or execution.