is very arbitrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very arbitrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason or system. Example: "The decision to change the meeting time seems very arbitrary, as there was no clear rationale behind it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

What I watch is very arbitrary.

The Guardian

And nature itself is very arbitrary – it's not malevolent or benevolent; it doesn't even know we're here".

The Guardian - Film

Setting prices "is very arbitrary," said a top executive at a major label, who described his company's pricing policies only on condition of anonymity.

The New York Times - Arts

"A calendar-year scorecard is very arbitrary," said Charles M. Royce, manager of Royce Premier, which has returned 14.1percentt a year and has not lost money in a single year in the last 10 years.

The New York Times

This assignment procedure is very arbitrary, and we think, however, it provides a first set of results on the impact of soil nonlinearity, that is worth being analyzed in a statistical sense.

Earth, Planets and Space

Like most such lists, this one is very arbitrary.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's very arbitrary and very troubling.

The New York Times - Travel

It's very arbitrary in terms of being locked up in the SHU initially.

The Washington Post

But predicting the future is so difficult that such judgments are very arbitrary.

The Guardian

It's very arbitrary, and the president sounds like a dictator".

The New York Times

"It's very arbitrary what fertility treatment you can get on the NHS, and waiting times can be cruel," says Karen Veness, spokesperson for the charity Infertilty Network.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "capricious" or "erratic" if you want to emphasize the unpredictable nature of something you're describing.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "is very arbitrary" can sound less formal than intended in professional or academic writing. Replace it with phrases like "is highly discretionary" or "lacks a systematic basis" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very arbitrary" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a quality of being based on random choice or personal whim. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very arbitrary" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey that something lacks a clear basis or logical system. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, consider the context. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, followed by science. For more formal settings, alternative phrases such as "is highly subjective" or "lacks a systematic basis" may be more appropriate. Ensure you provide specific examples to support your assessment of arbitrariness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is highly subjective

Emphasizes the personal viewpoint influencing the decision.

is quite random

Highlights the lack of pattern or predictability.

is utterly capricious

Suggests an impulsive and unpredictable nature.

is extremely erratic

Focuses on the inconsistent and unstable quality.

is wholly discretionary

Indicates that the decision is based solely on individual judgement.

is rather groundless

Highlights the lack of a solid foundation or justification.

is terribly inconsistent

Emphasizes the lack of uniformity or predictability.

is simply unjustified

Indicates a lack of valid reasoning or support.

is totally unfounded

Stresses the lack of any basis in reality or evidence.

is largely unsupported

Highlights the absence of corroborating evidence or agreement.

FAQs

What does "is very arbitrary" mean?

The phrase "is very arbitrary" means that something is based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system. It suggests a lack of clear justification or consistency.

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

You can use "is very arbitrary" to describe a decision, rule, or process that seems random or without logical basis. For example, "The selection process "is very arbitrary", with no clear criteria for choosing candidates."

What can I say instead of "is very arbitrary"?

You can use alternatives like "is highly subjective", "is quite random", or "is utterly capricious" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is very arbitrary" or "is arbitrary"?

Both "is very arbitrary" and "is arbitrary" are grammatically correct. Adding "very" simply intensifies the degree to which something is considered arbitrary. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.