mixed results

USAGE SUMMARY

"mixed results" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is used to describe an outcome that has both positive and negative elements. For example, "The team had mixed results in the tournament, winning some games and losing others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Mixed results).

The New York Times - Magazine

He earned mixed results.

The New York Times

So far, mixed results.

The New York Times

Patients report mixed results.

The New York Times

NAFTA produced mixed results.

Britannica

Damien Hirst produced mixed results.

The New York Times

Regular speakers provided mixed results.

The New York Times - Tech

The formula produces mixed results.

The New York Times - Books

His return produced mixed results.

The New York Times - Sports

Tuesday night produced mixed results.

The New York Times

Others have, with mixed results.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mixed results", be specific about the different outcomes. Instead of simply stating "The marketing campaign had mixed results", elaborate on which aspects succeeded and which ones didn't.

Common error

Avoid using "mixed results" as a vague statement without providing any details. For instance, stating "The experiment yielded mixed results" is less informative than saying "The experiment yielded mixed results: significant improvement in group A but no change in group B."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mixed results" functions as a noun phrase or adjectival phrase that typically modifies another noun. It describes a situation or outcome characterized by a combination of positive and negative aspects. Ludwig shows many examples from varied domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mixed results" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations with both positive and negative outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig, its versatility allows for use across various contexts, from news reports and scientific analyses to business evaluations. Although its usage is generally neutral, providing specific details about the "mixed results" enhances clarity and avoids overgeneralization. Alternative phrases like "variable outcomes" or "qualified success" can be used in more formal settings. In conclusion, "mixed results" is a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

varying outcomes

Emphasizes the diversity in the types of results obtained, moving away from a strictly positive/negative binary.

inconsistent outcomes

Highlights the lack of uniformity and predictability in the results.

uneven results

Focuses on the disparity in the quality or success of the results.

patchy performance

Implies that the success was not uniform but rather sporadic or intermittent.

a mixed bag

An idiomatic expression conveying a combination of good and bad elements.

some successes and some failures

Explicitly states the presence of both positive and negative outcomes.

variable success

Indicates that the degree of success was not constant or consistent.

hit-or-miss

Suggests an unpredictable outcome, with some attempts succeeding and others failing.

qualified success

Highlights successes are tempered or limited in some way.

a combination of successes and setbacks

Directly acknowledges both the positive and negative aspects of the results.

FAQs

How can I use "mixed results" in a sentence?

You can use "mixed results" to describe a situation where some outcomes are positive and others are negative. For example, "The company's quarterly earnings showed "mixed results", with increased revenue but decreased profits."

What's a more formal alternative to "mixed results"?

In a formal context, you might use "variable outcomes", "inconsistent performance", or "qualified success" instead of "mixed results".

What does it mean when something has "mixed results"?

When something has "mixed results", it means that the outcomes were not consistently positive or negative. Some aspects were successful, while others were not.

Are "mixed results" always negative?

No, "mixed results" simply indicates a combination of positive and negative outcomes. It's not inherently negative, but it does suggest that there's room for improvement.