patch by patch

USAGE SUMMARY

'patch by patch' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase which means to do something step by step, or in small sections. For example: "We need to repair the wall, so let's do it patch by patch".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

As her skin gradually lost its color, patch by patch, people treated her like a leper.

The New York Times - Health

Russia's, by contrast, has been a land empire, growing patch by patch over centuries.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the California School of Fine Arts, his teacher, the Modernist Otis Oldfield, introduced him to Cézanne's practice of building a pictorial structure, colored patch by patch, that produced a faceted aspect important to the Cubists who followed Cézanne.

The New York Times

For practical implementation, the surface can be evaluated patch by patch.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

This means that the proposed method gradually reconstructs missing areas patch by patch starting from the missing boundary.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

By comparing the sharpness of the two defocused SAR images patch by patch, the moving targets can be indicated adaptively and automatically.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Losing the dividend for three years is a small price to pay for not being all but wiped out, as has happened in previous rescues, such as that of American International Group, a giant insurer, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two vast mortgage agencies.Moreover, the deal marks a return to the patch-by-patch approach that preceded the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Programme, or TARP.

The Economist

CWNN produces the segmentation map by patch-by-patch scanning.

Pattern Recognition

The species can then disperse from grassland patch to patch by increasing population density during more suitable conditions.

Plosone

The objective of this study was to test the predictions that butterfly richness and abundance will be higher in more heterogeneous agricultural landscapes, where heterogeneity was measured by the number of patch types (patch richness) and the number of patches (patch density) in the landscape.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

The spatial pattern of natural dune cover types, (Beaches with Pioneer annual Vegetation, Herbaceous Dune Vegetation and Woody Dune Vegetation), for the three dates was described by patch-based (Patch Size and Shape Index) and edge-based metrics, (patch shared boundaries with manmade cover types) and compared using the non-parametric, Kruskal Wallis median test.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patch by patch" to emphasize a deliberate, step-by-step approach, particularly when dealing with complex or gradual processes. It's especially effective when highlighting incremental improvements or repairs.

Common error

Avoid using "patch by patch" when describing processes that occur quickly or simultaneously. The phrase implies a slower, more methodical pace, so it's unsuitable for situations where changes happen all at once.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patch by patch" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates a gradual, incremental process, often involving repair or construction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patch by patch" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe actions performed incrementally. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage across various contexts, particularly in Science and News & Media. While its register is neutral, it's important to use it when describing truly gradual processes. Related phrases include "piece by piece" and "spot by spot". Employ "patch by patch" to emphasize a deliberate, step-by-step approach, and avoid using it for rapid or simultaneous actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

piece by piece

Offers a more general alternative that refers to assembling something in stages.

spot by spot

Substitutes "patch" with "spot", which may be more appropriate for describing localized changes or cleaning.

inch by inch

Focuses on very small increments of progress, often used to describe slow or difficult advancement.

parcel by parcel

Replaces "patch" with "parcel", shifting the context to land or real estate.

tract by tract

Similar to "parcel by parcel" but implies larger areas or segments.

island by island

Replaces "patch" with "island", best suited for geographical or metaphorical contexts.

stain by stain

Focuses on the gradual removal or addition of stains, marks, or blemishes.

moment by moment

Shifts the focus to time, indicating progress or experience as it unfolds sequentially.

dive by dive

Suitable for describing actions or processes that happen in discrete instances or iterations.

review by review

Indicates systematic progression through a series of evaluations or assessments.

FAQs

How can I use "patch by patch" in a sentence?

You can use "patch by patch" to describe a process that is done incrementally, such as "We are repairing the roof "patch by patch" to ensure each section is properly sealed."

What's a similar expression to "patch by patch"?

Alternatives to "patch by patch" include "piece by piece", "step by step", or "gradually", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "patch by patch"?

While grammatically correct, using "patch by patch" might be inappropriate if the action being described is not incremental or gradual. For example, describing a sudden event as happening "patch by patch" would be inaccurate.

What's the connotation of using "patch by patch" compared to "all at once"?

"Patch by patch" implies a methodical and gradual process, focusing on each small section independently. In contrast, "all at once" suggests a simultaneous action that covers the entire area or task at the same time.