overall pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overall pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a general trend or recurring theme observed in data, behavior, or events. Example: "When analyzing the survey results, we noticed an overall pattern indicating a preference for remote work among employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But the overall pattern seems clear.

Independent

Focus on your overall pattern of highlights and achievements rather than on a one-off.

The Guardian

The overall pattern in test results statewide was similar to those on Long Island.

The New York Times

Yet within the overall pattern, his productions are filled with a mass of complex human detail.

The Guardian

These anomalies, however, weren't enough to change the overall pattern.

The New York Times

The limbs of tetrapods are generally similar in overall pattern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The overall pattern of ocular dominance bands in cat visual cortex.

Nature

The overall pattern of the advance follows a frontal alignment, but local episodes may differ considerably.

Britannica

Every pollster uses different wording, producing varied results, but the overall pattern is consistent.

The New York Times

The Spacer molecule mainly determines the overall pattern, modulating the cellular uptake process.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We found no evidence that the overall pattern of cancer awareness and beliefs followed the overall pattern of 1-year cancer survival across the countries.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data, use "overall pattern" to highlight the most significant and recurring trend, especially when individual data points may vary.

Common error

Avoid using "overall pattern" if the variations are more significant than the underlying trend; consider phrases like "mixed results" or "inconsistent findings" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overall pattern" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a comprehensive trend or theme observed across a set of data or events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to summarize a general observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overall pattern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a general trend or recurring theme. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. As shown by the examples, the phrase appears predominantly in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, indicating a neutral to formal register. To effectively use this phrase, focus on highlighting the most significant and recurring trends, while avoiding its use if variations outweigh the pattern itself. Alternatives like "general trend" or "prevailing tendency" can be considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general trend

Focuses on the direction of change rather than the complete picture.

prevailing tendency

Emphasizes the dominant direction or inclination.

typical configuration

Highlights the standard arrangement or form.

common structure

Stresses the shared organizational framework.

consistent arrangement

Focuses on the uniformity in the placement or organization.

widespread distribution

Highlights how broadly something is spread.

general scheme

Emphasizes the outline or plan.

broad tendency

Stresses the scope of the inclination.

usual format

Highlights the conventional or standard layout.

regularity

Focuses on the recurring nature of the pattern.

FAQs

How to use "overall pattern" in a sentence?

You can use "overall pattern" to describe a general trend or recurring theme observed in data, events, or behavior. For example: "The "overall pattern" of economic growth shows a steady increase over the past decade."

What can I say instead of "overall pattern"?

You can use alternatives like "general trend", "prevailing tendency", or "typical configuration" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "overall pattern" or "general patterns"?

"Overall pattern" refers to a single, overarching trend. "General patterns" implies multiple recurring themes or trends. The choice depends on whether you're describing one major trend or several distinct patterns.

What's the difference between "overall pattern" and "specific instances"?

"Overall pattern" describes the general trend, while "specific instances" refer to individual occurrences or data points that may or may not perfectly align with the overall trend. The "overall pattern" provides a summary, while specific instances provide detail.