not consistently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not consistently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not occur in a uniform or steady manner. Example: "The results of the experiment were not consistently reliable, leading to further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Certainly, not consistently.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not consistently, executives acknowledge.

The New York Times

Just not consistently.

The New York Times - Sports

But he could not consistently capitalize.

The New York Times - Sports

This principle was not consistently applied.

The Economist

Servers are eager, but not consistently knowledgeable.

The New York Times

They still run, but not consistently.

The New York Times

Rejection decisions are not consistently communicated.

The New York Times

Nothing works, or at least not consistently.

The Guardian - Books

Cheap they may be, but unfortunately not consistently delicious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Jets are also not consistently beating their blocks.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not consistently", ensure the context clearly indicates what the lack of consistency refers to. Be specific about the variable or behavior that is not uniform.

Common error

Avoid stacking "not consistently" with other negative terms, as this can make sentences confusing. For example, instead of saying "The data was not consistently unreliable", it's clearer to say "The data was sometimes unreliable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not consistently" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to qualify verbs or adjectives. It indicates that an action or quality does not occur in a uniform or regular manner. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

41%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not consistently" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote a lack of uniformity or regularity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is found most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. For clarity, remember to specify what isn't consistent and avoid stacking it with other negative terms. Alternatives like "inconsistently" or "irregularly" offer more concise options, while "not always" provides a nuanced alternative depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistently

This is a direct synonym, replacing the two words with a single adverb.

irregularly

This term suggests a lack of fixed pattern or schedule, similar to "not consistently".

not regularly

This highlights the absence of a routine or predictable pattern.

sporadically

This indicates occurrences at irregular intervals, implying a lack of consistency.

intermittently

Suggests starting and stopping at intervals; similar to a lack of consistent action.

not always

This alternative emphasizes that something is true sometimes, but not every time.

occasionally

Indicates that something happens from time to time, without a set pattern.

sometimes

This describes something that happens at certain times, but is not a constant occurrence.

on occasion

Implies infrequent instances, differing from consistent behavior.

at times

Suggests something happens now and then, but not as a rule.

FAQs

How can I use "not consistently" in a sentence?

You can use "not consistently" to describe actions, behaviors, or results that lack uniformity or regularity. For example, "The software updates were "not consistently" applied across all devices."

What are some alternatives to "not consistently"?

Alternatives include "inconsistently", "irregularly", or "sporadically". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "inconsistently" or "not consistently"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "inconsistently" is more concise. Use "not consistently" when you want to emphasize the negation or when it fits better with the sentence structure.

What's the difference between "not consistently" and "not always"?

"Not consistently" suggests a variation in the pattern or method, while "not always" indicates that something is sometimes true but not universally so. For example, "He was "not consistently" on time" implies his punctuality varied, whereas "He was "not always" on time" simply means he was late sometimes.