ongoing pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ongoing pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or repeated occurrence of a specific behavior, trend, or situation over time. Example: "The ongoing pattern of increased rainfall has raised concerns about potential flooding in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"His failure to disclose the Battista mortgage in these documents is consistent with an ongoing pattern of shirking his obligation to repay her," the decision said.

The New York Times

"This action seeks to redress the substantial and ongoing pattern of fraudulent misrepresentations and deceptive sales practices" by the Trumps and the other defendants, the suit charged.

The New Yorker

Ms Cáceres's murder fits an ongoing pattern of violence against organizers, activists, and civilians since the 2009 coup deposed Honduras' democratically elected government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ken Frydman, a Daily News spokesman, said "there's been an ongoing pattern where they didn't credit stories".

The New York Times

This could be dismissed as a random instance of a politician speaking out of turn were it not part of an ongoing pattern.

The Washington Post

The calls are made in the most serious cases, such as an arrest or hospitalization, or if a student shows an ongoing pattern of intoxication.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

But after several major terror attacks by al-Shabaab, Kenya's efforts to combat the security threat has, according to Human Rights Watch, been "marred by ongoing patterns of serious human rights violations by Kenyan security forces, including extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detentions and torture".

The Guardian

However, classifications and definitions to describe prescription drug MAREs differ depending on the purpose of the classification system, may apply to single events or ongoing patterns of inappropriate use, and are not standardized or systematically employed, thereby complicating the ability to assess MARE occurrence adequately.

PAIN®

In this regard, structures and agents are not two independently given sets of phenomena; they are interconnected in the ongoing patterning of social life (Mosco 2009).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) targets ongoing patterns of criminal conduct.

Huffington Post

"A number of long-standing and ongoing patterns of systematic and widespread violations which were documented by the commission, meet the high threshold required for proof of crimes against humanity in international law.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ongoing pattern" to describe events or behaviors that are not isolated incidents, but rather a series of related occurrences over time. This helps establish a sense of continuity or predictability.

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing pattern" to describe single, isolated events. The phrase implies a series of connected occurrences, not just one instance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ongoing pattern" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a sequence of events or actions that are continuous or repetitive in nature, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. Ludwig AI also confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ongoing pattern" effectively describes a continuous or recurring sequence of events or behaviors, as supported by Ludwig. Grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communication, it's a valuable term for identifying trends and drawing attention to persistent issues. While interchangeable with alternatives like "continuing trend" or "recurring theme", understanding its precise scope helps avoid misuse. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability, cementing its role as a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuing trend

Focuses on the trend aspect, highlighting the direction or tendency over time.

persistent trend

Emphasizes the long-lasting and unchanging nature of the trend.

recurring theme

Highlights the repetitive nature of the theme across different instances.

repeated occurrence

Stresses the fact that the event or situation happens multiple times.

sustained activity

Implies a continuous level of activity being maintained over a period.

chronic behavior

Specifically used for behaviors that are habitual and difficult to change.

established practice

Refers to a customary or conventional way of doing things.

regular feature

Suggests that something is a standard or expected part of a larger system.

habitual practice

Similar to 'chronic behavior', this emphasizes the routine nature of an action.

continuous cycle

Emphasizes the cyclical nature of events, with recurrence as a key element.

FAQs

How can I use "ongoing pattern" in a sentence?

Use "ongoing pattern" to describe a series of recurring events or behaviors. For example: "The city has seen an "ongoing pattern" of budget deficits."

What's a good alternative to "ongoing pattern"?

Depending on the specific context, alternatives to "ongoing pattern" include "continuing trend", "recurring theme", or "persistent issue".

Is it better to say "ongoing pattern" or "continuous pattern"?

Both "ongoing pattern" and "continuous pattern" are correct. "Ongoing" emphasizes that something is currently happening or continuing, while "continuous" emphasizes that something is without interruption.

What does it mean when someone refers to an "ongoing pattern" of behavior?

Referring to an "ongoing pattern" of behavior indicates that the behavior is not isolated, but rather a repeated or habitual way in which someone acts over a period of time.