not very consistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very consistent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks reliability or uniformity in performance, behavior, or quality. Example: "The results of the experiment were not very consistent, leading to questions about the methodology used."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Jules de Balincourt's paintings are not very consistent.

The Guardian - Arts

Research indicates that people are not very consistent when it comes to applying anything topically.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I find the criticisms of Klinsmann at times not very consistent with other coaches".

The Guardian - Sport

"They know only what they read in the paper, which is not very consistent.

The New York Times - Sports

In other words, team turnover rates are not very consistent from week to week or even from season to season.

The New York Times

But the fact that Mr. Romney actually lost ground in those polls is not very consistent with the 7-point bounce that the We Ask America polls imply, even considering that most of its data was predebate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"There are some divers who just jump off and hope for the best and those are the ones who aren't very consistent.

The Guardian - Sport

"With Songs from Liquid Days, I can see some parallels," says Nyman. "But it wasn't very consistent – Philip Glass enlisted lyricists like David Byrne and Laurie Anderson, whose words were sung by other people.

The Guardian - Music

I struggled with my swing and wasn't very consistent," said Westwood.

BBC

But the GOP's 2016 platform isn't very consistent with Woodstock values.

Huffington Post

Individual voters are not rational calculators of self-interest (nobody truly is), and may not be very consistent users of heuristic shortcuts, either.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not very consistent", consider the specific aspect of consistency you are addressing to provide clarity. For instance, instead of saying "the data is not very consistent", specify "the data is not very consistent across different trials."

Common error

Avoid stacking negative phrases. Instead of saying something is "not very not consistent", rephrase it positively such as "somewhat inconsistent" or "moderately variable" for improved clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very consistent" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It expresses a qualified lack of uniformity or reliability. As Ludwig highlights, it's a standard construction for conveying that something isn't entirely stable or dependable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very consistent" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a moderate lack of uniformity or reliability. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, this phrase finds frequent use in Science and News & Media. It is suitable for neutral registers, allowing for broad applicability across various writing styles. Be mindful of potential overuse of negative phrasing and consider alternatives such as "somewhat inconsistent" or "slightly erratic" for enhanced clarity. Ludwig AI confirms that "not very consistent" is usable in written English to describe something lacking reliability or uniformity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat inconsistent

Replaces "very" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly lesser degree of inconsistency.

slightly erratic

Shifts the focus to irregular or unpredictable behavior, implying a lack of consistency.

not particularly reliable

Emphasizes the lack of dependability, a key aspect of inconsistency.

lacks uniformity

Highlights the absence of a standard or consistent form.

variable

A more concise way of indicating changes or fluctuations, lacking consistency.

unpredictable

Focuses on the inability to foresee outcomes, a consequence of inconsistency.

somewhat changeable

Highlights the tendency to change, which implies a lack of consistency.

not especially stable

Emphasizes the lack of steadiness or stability, related to consistent performance.

fluctuating

A single-word alternative highlighting the up-and-down movement, implying inconsistency.

sporadic

Emphasizes the occasional or infrequent nature, signifying inconsistency in occurrence.

FAQs

What does "not very consistent" mean?

The phrase "not very consistent" indicates that something lacks a high degree of uniformity, reliability, or predictability. It suggests there are noticeable variations or deviations.

How can I use "not very consistent" in a sentence?

You can use "not very consistent" to describe data, performance, or behavior. For example, "The experimental results were "not very consistent"", or "His work ethic has been "not very consistent" lately".

What can I say instead of "not very consistent"?

You can use alternatives such as "somewhat inconsistent", "slightly erratic", or "not particularly reliable" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "inconsistent" or "not very consistent"?

The choice depends on the degree of inconsistency you want to convey. "Inconsistent" implies a more definite lack of consistency, while "not very consistent" suggests a milder deviation from uniformity. Both are correct, but their impact differs.