patchy news

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patchy news" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe news coverage that is inconsistent, incomplete, or lacking in detail. Example: "The coverage of the event was patchy news, leaving many important details unreported."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wild swings on stock markets, a plummeting oil price and patchy economic news frrom the world's two biggest economies, China and the US, have raised the spectre of a fresh financial crisis.

The Guardian - Business

That will make investors uncomfortable, given BolsWessanen's patchy record, and the news in January that a joint venture was underway with Golden Poultry International in Bangkok.

The Economist

Though their interest in news was patchy in teenage and early adult years, they tended to buy papers regularly once they married and set up home.

The Guardian

They should be as worried about the type of BBC its managers are creating and how patchy and thin its news coverage is becoming.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nathan — who is also twenty-one, with a patchy beard — recognized Chapman from news stories about American volunteers fighting in Syria and asked for advice.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, reporting on DPI is not exactly mainstream and quite patchy, judging by this simple Google news search.

TechCrunch

The news, when it filtered through from other refugees, was patchy and unreliable but eventually you received confirmation that your husband was dead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Centre circle patchy and clear NFL words down pitch". We should have team news from Wembley in the next 15 minutes or so.

BBC

TfL's managing director of surface transport Leon Daniels said in a statement to The Independent: "The strike will mean that services across London will be patchy and I urge customers to please check our website for the latest news.

Independent

The news came on the day Mr Hunt told the BBC that school sports provision is "patchy", and said ministers wanted to increase participation on the back of Team GB's Olympic success.

BBC

But, in an indication of just how patchy those links can be, he said the government-in-exile learnt about this latest self-immolation only through international news reports.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patchy news" to describe situations where the available information is incomplete or inconsistent, making it difficult to form a clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "patchy news" when you mean completely false or fabricated news. "Patchy" implies incomplete or inconsistent, not necessarily untrue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patchy news" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'patchy' modifies 'news'. It describes the quality of the news being inconsistent or incomplete. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patchy news" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe news coverage that is incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a valid expression in English. While it might not be extremely common, it effectively conveys the idea that the available information is not comprehensive. Consider alternatives like "incomplete reporting" or "fragmented information" to fine-tune your message. Be mindful to use "patchy news" when the information is genuinely incomplete or inconsistent, not when it's entirely false. Although there are no exact example sentences available, the AI has given its verdict based on similar occurrences in reliable English sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spotty coverage

Similar to "patchy news" but uses 'spotty' instead, indicating uneven distribution.

incomplete reporting

Focuses on the lack of essential details in the news.

fragmented information

Highlights the scattered and disjointed nature of the news.

scattered reports

Suggests the news is not centralized and comes from various locations.

gaps in coverage

Specifically points out the missing pieces in the news reporting.

unreliable information

Emphasizes the untrustworthy nature of the news.

inconsistent reports

Highlights the discrepancies between different news accounts.

uneven news flow

Emphasizes the irregular delivery of information.

erratic reporting

Highlights the unpredictable nature of the news.

haphazard information

Implies a lack of organization and planning in the news gathering process.

FAQs

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

You can use "patchy news" to describe a situation where the news coverage is incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable. For example: "The coverage of the economic recovery has been "patchy news", with some sectors showing strong growth while others lag behind".

What are some alternatives to "patchy news"?

Alternatives to "patchy news" include "incomplete reporting", "fragmented information", or "unreliable information", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "patchy news" or "spotty coverage"?

Both "patchy news" and "spotty coverage" are similar and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. "Spotty coverage" might slightly emphasize the uneven distribution of news, while "patchy news" highlights the incompleteness or inconsistency of the information itself.

What does "patchy news" imply about the source of information?

"Patchy news" suggests that the available information, regardless of the source, is not comprehensive or consistent. It doesn't necessarily imply a problem with the source itself, but rather with the overall availability or clarity of the information being reported.