little consistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little consistent" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey a slight degree of consistency, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The results were little consistent, making it difficult to draw any conclusions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

But, broadly, researchers emphasized that studies had found little consistent correlation between higher prices and better quality in American health care.

The New York Times

The Pew Foundation sent me the results of surveys dating back to 1997 in which they asked about trade, and there is little consistent difference between the opinions of Republicans and Democrats.

The New Yorker

The public's experience is that we have amazing clinicians and technologies but little consistent sense that they come together to provide an actual system of care, from start to finish, for people.

The New Yorker

A recent review of the scientific literature found little consistent evidence of a link between bio-markers of stress and social or economic status.Nor is it certain that income inequality is the right problem to focus on.

The Economist

Other researchers have examined injury patterns in female athletes and found little consistent evidence that injuries, including the dreaded A.C.L. tear in the knee, are more common at any particular point during the menstrual cycle.

The New York Times

It doesn't help that there is still little comprehensive research on the choking game — a review of available research published earlier this year found "limited and little consistent evidence about the prevalence, associated risk factors and levels of morbidity and mortality associated with engagement in [self-asphyxial behaviors]" despite the fact that it has been around for years.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"A little more consistent.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's just a matter of being a little more consistent and a little more aggressive".

The New York Times - Sports

I would like to make it a little more consistent and not be quiet for long.

The New York Times - Sports

"I just need to be a little more consistent with my location.

The New York Times - Sports

And Torre hopes that Hitchcock will be a little more consistent, a little more predictable, than Keisler, whose effectiveness sometimes varied markedly from inning to inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "little consistent" with more precise alternatives like "somewhat consistent" or "not very consistent" to better convey the intended degree of consistency. Always consider the context and choose the phrasing that most accurately reflects your meaning.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the phrase "little consistent", as it can sound awkward. Vary your language by using alternative phrases such as "somewhat consistent" or "not very consistent", which provide better clarity and prevent repetitiveness in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little consistent" functions as a modifier, typically describing the degree of consistency of evidence, results, or observations. As Ludwig AI highlights, while common, its grammatical correctness is questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "little consistent" is frequently encountered, particularly in scientific and news reporting, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically questionable. It aims to express a low degree of consistency, but clearer alternatives like "somewhat consistent" or "not very consistent" are generally preferred for enhanced clarity and precision. Usage analysis reveals its prevalence in Science and News & Media contexts. Remember to consider the specific nuances you wish to convey and opt for alternatives that most accurately reflect your intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very consistent

Directly negates consistency, indicating a low level of it.

somewhat consistent

Expresses a slightly higher degree of consistency than "little consistent".

slightly inconsistent

Emphasizes the lack of consistency with a touch of understatement.

hardly consistent

Stresses the minimal amount of consistency observed.

moderately consistent

Suggests a medium degree of consistency.

scarcely consistent

Underlines the rarity of consistency.

sporadically consistent

Indicates that consistency occurs irregularly.

unevenly consistent

Shows that consistency is not uniform, with peaks and valleys.

a bit erratic

Highlights unpredictable variation rather than complete inconsistency.

inconsistently stable

Highlights both aspects of inconsistency and stability which might be useful in some specific contexts.

FAQs

What does "little consistent" mean?

The phrase "little consistent" suggests a lack of strong or reliable consistency. It indicates that something is only somewhat consistent, or /s/not+very+consistent, rather than being consistently uniform or dependable.

Is it grammatically correct to say "little consistent"?

While commonly used, especially in scientific and news contexts, "little consistent" is grammatically questionable. It's often clearer and more precise to use alternatives like /s/somewhat+consistent or /s/not+very+consistent.

What are some alternatives to "little consistent"?

You can use phrases like "somewhat consistent", "slightly inconsistent", or /s/not+very+consistent. The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of consistency you want to convey.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when I'm tempted to use "little consistent"?

Opt for clearer alternatives that specify the degree of consistency. For example, instead of "little consistent evidence", try "limited evidence", or "some evidence", or even /s/almost+consistent evidence to more accurately reflect the findings.