lack of patterns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of patterns" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or phenomenon where there are no discernible or recognizable patterns present. Example: "The data analysis revealed a lack of patterns, making it difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Do the patterns — or lack of patterns — in the numbers help solve the issue of what most people are thinking of when they answer the expectation question: Private information (their friends' voting plans, yard signs in their neighborhood, etc).

The New York Times

One might claim that the lack of patterns in the data for silent movies with and without their intertitles is caused by mixing movies with different act structure – some with three equal-length acts and some with four.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Both sets of (lack of) patterns may indicate that avian populations, at least those surveyed by BBS methods, are surprisingly resilient during the first years of a disease epidemic [12].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The drainage system is characterized by a lack of pattern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The openness of the space, the lack of pattern and the pale blue-green color scheme are all very contemporary, so you know it's modern, but somehow it has a sense of the past".

The New York Times - Magazine

The lack of pattern might reflect the overriding importance of other factors such as within-patch characteristics, water depth or position within an estuary.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

This might seem counterintuitive, but if randomness indicates a lack of pattern or repetition, then sequences which are too short to display pattern or repetition must be random.

SEP

We might think that we could simply do this by examination of the data surely the lack of pattern will be apparent to the observer?

SEP

He despaired of the absence of any apparent tendency, this lack of pattern, reason.

Huffington Post

Now, any slight variation or interference in one's life-pattern -- or lack of pattern, as is the more likely case for the cellphone tribesman -- can qualify as emergency, proof of the need for the almighty e-slab.

Huffington Post

The apparent lack of pattern of composition and distribution of bases in DNA sequences have been one of the enduring problems of molecular biology.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data or observations, use "lack of patterns" to indicate that no consistent or predictable trends were identified. This phrase is particularly useful in scientific and analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid attributing significance to random variations when a "lack of patterns" truly exists. Ensure your analysis acknowledges the absence of meaningful structure rather than forcing interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of patterns" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in describing situations where discernible patterns are absent. It often acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting the absence of predictable sequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of patterns" effectively describes the absence of discernible trends or predictability in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and primarily functions as a noun phrase. While relatively rare, its usage spans scientific, news, and encyclopedic domains, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that randomness is not misinterpreted as meaningful structure. Alternative phrasing, such as "absence of patterns" or "no discernible patterns", can offer subtle nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of patterns

Replaces "lack" with "absence", emphasizing the non-existence of patterns.

no discernible patterns

Highlights the difficulty in identifying any existing patterns.

lack of structure

Focuses on the absence of organized arrangement.

randomness

Implies a complete absence of predictable sequences.

unpredictability

Emphasizes the inability to foresee future occurrences or arrangements.

lack of organization

Stresses the absence of systematic arrangement or order.

inconsistent arrangement

Highlights the variable and non-uniform disposition of elements.

disorder

Indicates a state of confusion or lack of regular order.

irregularity

Focuses on deviations from what is standard or expected.

haphazardness

Highlights the absence of planning or direction.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of patterns" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of patterns" to describe situations where there's no discernible order or trend. For example, "The study revealed a "lack of patterns" in the distribution of the disease."

What are some alternatives to "lack of patterns"?

Alternatives include "absence of patterns", "no discernible patterns", or "randomness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, you can use "absence of patterns" to simply state patterns don't exist, or "randomness" to specifically emphasize there isn't a predictable sequence.

Is it more formal to say "absence of patterns" instead of "lack of patterns"?

While both are acceptable, "absence of patterns" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "lack of patterns". However, the difference is minimal, and both are suitable for formal writing.

What does it mean when data shows a "lack of patterns"?

A "lack of patterns" in data typically means that the data points are distributed randomly or without any predictable relationship. This can make it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions or make accurate predictions.