patchy information

USAGE SUMMARY

"patchy information" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe incomplete or inconsistent information. Example: The police were struggling to solve the case due to the patchy information they had gathered from unreliable witnesses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Too much climate science relies on drawing conclusions from patchy information.

The Economist

The online version of the Bahamas registry, which often contains patchy information on companies, does not list the directors of Mint Holdings.

The Guardian - Business

Patchy information, in turn, could increase the likelihood that the market would misprice securities.All told, the ratings agencies' business "has not been threatened much by extra regulation or competition", says Douglas Arthur at Evercore Partners, an investment bank.

The Economist

Having muddled through so many times before, Europe's statesmen had assumed that they would somehow contrive to do so again.Ms MacMillan is particularly good at describing the men (they were all men) and the calculations, assumptions and prejudices, often supported by only patchy information and unco-ordinated government machines, that led them to their decisions.

The Economist

Dominique Strauss-Khan on suicide watch and held in single cell for his own protection The helicopter raid that ended in the killing of Osama bin Laden one week ago was "the longest 40 minutes of my life", President Barack Obama said last night, adding that he and top aides in the White House situation room had only patchy information on what was happening.

Independent

He said the council had received only "patchy information" in a briefing given by UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

This social market has patchy market information, and national governments' buying and handling capability is uneven.

Globalization and Health

At that time, the incompleteness and inaccuracies of routine health record systems in most developing countries all but eliminated the information value of the voluminous but patchy data.

BMC Health Services Research

Originally somewhat of a global warming skeptic, Tim Flannery spent several years researching the topic and offers a connect-the-dots approach for a reading public who has received patchy or misleading information on the subject.

The Guardian

Patchy and sporadic information is available on biomass and carbon stock of Indian forests.

Ecological Processes

Patchy or inconsistent information leads, according to Condit (2001) to a real mix within a society with the public seeing both "promise and risk" in genetics (Critchley et al. 2014).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research findings or data, use "patchy information" to accurately convey that the data is incomplete or has inconsistencies.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions from "patchy information". Acknowledge the limitations of the data and suggest areas for further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patchy information" functions as a noun phrase, where "patchy" modifies the noun "information". It describes the quality or state of the information being incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable. Ludwig AI shows examples where this phrase is used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "patchy information" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe data that is incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across a variety of contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to acknowledge the limitations of the information and avoid overstating conclusions. Alternatives like "incomplete data" or "fragmentary details" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incomplete data

Focuses on the lack of completeness in the information.

Fragmentary details

Emphasizes the broken or disconnected nature of the information.

Scattered data

Highlights the dispersed and disorganized nature of the data.

Spotty intelligence

Specific to intelligence gathering, indicating unreliable or inconsistent information.

Unreliable data

Directly addresses the trustworthiness of the information.

Limited information

Focuses on the scarcity or restricted amount of information available.

Gaps in the data

Highlights missing pieces within a dataset.

Inconsistent reports

Focuses on contradictions within the information received.

Uneven coverage

Emphasizes that certain areas are better represented than others.

Anecdotal evidence

Highlights information based on personal accounts rather than systematic research.

FAQs

What does "patchy information" mean?

The phrase "patchy information" refers to data or details that are incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable, making it difficult to form a complete or accurate picture.

How can I use "patchy information" in a sentence?

You might say, "The investigation was hampered by the "patchy information" available from witnesses" or "Due to "patchy information", the forecast remains uncertain".

What are some alternatives to "patchy information"?

Alternatives include "incomplete data", "fragmentary details", or "unreliable data" depending on the specific context.

Is it acceptable to base decisions on "patchy information"?

While sometimes unavoidable, basing decisions solely on "patchy information" is risky. It's crucial to acknowledge the limitations and seek additional, more reliable sources whenever possible.