it is patchy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is patchy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is inconsistent, uneven, or lacking in coverage or quality. Example: "The internet connection in this area is quite unreliable; it is patchy at best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is patchy, spotty, and often frustrating, but at its best the towering, world class "Losing My Mind," the swaying Broadway lilt of "So Sorry, I Said," the technicolor slush of her "Rent" cover Results is a tempting glimpse into alternate reality where Judy Garland's daughter is the voice of every night out you've ever had.

Vice

It is patchy, spotty, and often frustrating, but at its best the towering, world class "Losing My Mind," the swaying Broadway lilt of "So Sorry, I Said," the technicolour slush of her "Rent" cover Results is a tempting glimpse into alternate reality where Judy Garland's daughter is the voice of every night out you've ever had.

Vice

Although its range is relatively large and includes some protected areas, it is patchy and threatened, and the discoverers recommend that the animal be considered "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List.

Wikipedia

Where there is provision, she said, "it is patchy; it depends on the school".

The Guardian

Despite emergency food aid most Haitians I speak to complain that it is patchy and irregular.

The Guardian

There is a bit more around, these days, but it is patchy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"It's patchy at best".

The Guardian

It was patchy, hot, sand-dry, crepey.

The Guardian

It was patchy, overpriced, and weighed down by state monopolies.

The New Yorker

It's patchy – East Anglia and Worcestershire are leading the charge.

The Guardian

Shouldn't it be patchy, to emphasize the theme of decay?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is patchy", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. For example, "The cell service in the countryside is patchy" avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "it is patchy" is acceptable, consider more precise and formal alternatives like "it is inconsistent" or "it is uneven" in academic or professional contexts to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is patchy" functions as a descriptive statement. It characterizes a subject as being inconsistent, uneven, or lacking uniformity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, supported by various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is patchy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is inconsistent, uneven, or lacks uniformity. Ludwig AI confirms this. It finds frequent application in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. Although versatile, consider more formal synonyms like "it is inconsistent" or "it is uneven" for enhanced clarity in professional writing. When deploying this expression in writing, make sure you avoid overuse in formal contents and prevent ambiguity by explicitly pointing out what the "it" is.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is uneven

Implies a lack of uniformity or regularity, focusing on the difference in quality or appearance across an area.

it is inconsistent

Suggests a lack of predictability or reliability, highlighting the varying nature of something over time or across instances.

it is spotty

Similar to patchy, but often used for physical appearances that are not smooth or uniform.

it is irregular

Indicates a deviation from a standard pattern or expected behavior.

it is fragmented

Emphasizes the broken or disjointed nature of something, often implying a lack of cohesion.

it is sporadic

Highlights the infrequency and unpredictability of occurrences.

it is discontinuous

Focuses on the interrupted or broken nature of something, often used in a technical or scientific context.

it is unreliable

Implies that something cannot be depended upon due to its fluctuating or inconsistent nature.

it is deficient

Suggests a lack of something necessary or expected, pointing to a shortfall or inadequacy.

it is imperfect

Highlights the presence of flaws or shortcomings, indicating a deviation from an ideal state.

FAQs

How can I use "it is patchy" in a sentence?

You can use "it is patchy" to describe something that is inconsistent or uneven. For example: "The internet connection "it is patchy" in rural areas."

What can I say instead of "it is patchy"?

You can use alternatives like "it is uneven", "it is inconsistent", or "it is spotty" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "it is patchy" or "it is consistently patchy"?

"It is patchy" is generally preferred because it's more concise. "It is consistently patchy" could be used if you want to emphasize the recurring nature of the inconsistency.

What's the difference between "it is patchy" and "it is intermittent"?

"It is patchy" implies an uneven distribution or quality, while "it is intermittent" suggests that something stops and starts at irregular intervals.