more erratic than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more erratic than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the unpredictability or inconsistency of one thing to another. Example: "The weather this week has been more erratic than usual, with sudden changes in temperature and unexpected storms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

America's relationship with President Hamid Karzai is more erratic than ever.

The Economist

After his release, Eddie's behavior was even more erratic than usual.

The New York Times - Magazine

Constitutional development in Natal was slower and more erratic than in the Cape; colonists received responsible government only in 1893.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In fact, the school's history has been more erratic than many of its admirers and detractors imagine.

The Guardian

The direction of the plot is more erratic than in books on a set science or arts subject, however.

Nature

VMF patients were significantly more erratic than both non-VMF and healthy control participants in their preference judgments across all stimulus categories.

Neuropsychologia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

In recent years investment and output have again increased, although at a lower rate and in a more erratic fashion than in the earlier postwar period.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Look again – these mammals have more erratic flight patterns than your average tweeter.

Independent

This reflected a trend to a slightly more erratic response pattern than might be expected under the assumptions of the Rasch model.

BMC Medical Education

"She's a much more erratic and passionate person than I am.

The New York Times

James N Green the director of Brown University's Brazil Initiative, said he saw Bolsonaro as being both more erratic and more ideological than the US president.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more erratic than", ensure you clearly define what is being compared. The comparison should be logical and contribute meaningfully to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "more erratic than" in contexts where the comparison doesn't make sense. For example, comparing abstract concepts like "love" to concrete objects like "a table" using this phrase would be illogical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more erratic than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe a subject by comparing its erratic or unpredictable qualities to those of another subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more erratic than" is a commonly used and grammatically correct comparative adjective phrase. It serves to highlight the relative unpredictability or inconsistency of one thing compared to another. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure that the comparison is logically sound and contributes to a clearer understanding of the subject. Remember to use alternatives like ""more unpredictable than"" or ""more inconsistent than"" when appropriate to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more unpredictable than

This alternative substitutes "erratic" with its direct synonym, "unpredictable", maintaining similar emphasis.

more irregular than

Focuses specifically on the lack of regularity rather than general unpredictability.

more inconsistent than

This replaces "erratic" with "inconsistent", highlighting the lack of uniformity in behavior or pattern.

less predictable than

This phrase replaces "erratic" with "predictable" and reverses the comparison, focusing on the lack of predictability.

more unstable than

This alternative emphasizes the lack of stability rather than predictability.

more variable than

This phrase focuses on the degree of variability as opposed to the unpredictability of something.

more fluctuating than

Highlights the rapid and irregular changes rather than general unpredictability.

more capricious than

This alternative replaces "erratic" with a more sophisticated synonym, suggesting impulsiveness.

more changeable than

This phrase emphasizes the frequency of changes rather than the irregularity of those changes.

more whimsical than

This implies a lighter, more playful kind of unpredictability.

FAQs

How can I use "more erratic than" in a sentence?

Use "more erratic than" to compare the unpredictable or inconsistent behavior of one thing to another. For example, "His behavior was "more erratic than" usual after the stressful event."

What are some alternatives to "more erratic than"?

You can use alternatives such as "more unpredictable than", "more inconsistent than", or "less predictable than" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "more erratic than" or "more irregular than"?

Both "more erratic than" and "more irregular than" are correct, but they emphasize slightly different aspects. "Erratic" suggests unpredictability, while "irregular" focuses on the lack of a consistent pattern.

What's the difference between "more erratic than" and "more unstable than"?

"More erratic than" implies unpredictable changes, whereas "more unstable than" suggests a lack of overall steadiness. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight unpredictability or general lack of stability.