patness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patness" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It appears to be a misspelling or a non-standard term, as it does not have a recognized meaning in English. Example: "The patness of the surface was surprising, making it easy to walk on."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

At least one phrase may have lost its patness since the tobacco report was issued.

The New Yorker

I got promotions"), the patness of the lines suggests that we are in for a well-meaning, slightly whiny issue movie; whereupon McCullers changes issues, and saves the day.

The New Yorker

Hence the book's picaresque quality — it is a string of anecdotes — and also, at times, a certain patness in the comedy.

The New Yorker

There was the patness — too obvious to be accidental — of their final exchange, when Will said, "No fuss, no muss," and Alicia said, "That's me".

The New York Times

Benjamin Black makes pointed asides about the dullness of Agatha Christie, and about the patness of mystery stories that resolve their loose ends too tidily.

The New York Times - Books

This extra rhyme-line gives him scope to widen the thought or heighten the emotion of the particular stanza, and to avoid the patness that a neat quatrain can have.

The Guardian - Books

But Mukherjee's primary bulwark against patness is a piece of formal daring.

The New Yorker

By T. S. Farrelly and Russell Maloney The New Yorker, June 3 , 1939P. 11 When the carillon of Riverside Church sped a portion of the Navy off with "Anchors Aweigh," the entire vestry was delighted with the patness of the selection.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, June 3, 1939 P. 11 When the carillon of Riverside Church sped a portion of the Navy off with "Anchors Aweigh," the entire vestry was delighted with the patness of the selection.

The New Yorker

The movies shifted from stiff, stark, enraged fables, decisive to the point of patness, to something more relaxed and ruminative and questioning.

The New Yorker

As Kate lays out her life in voice-over ("Some women got pregnant. I got promotions"), the patness of the lines suggests that we are in for a well-meaning, slightly whiny issue movie; whereupon McCullers changes issues, and saves the day.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "patness" with more standard terms like "appropriateness", "smoothness", or "obviousness", depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "patness" in formal writing. While it might seem fitting in certain contexts, it's not widely recognized and could confuse readers. Instead, opt for more accepted words.

Linguistic Context

The word "patness" functions as a noun, denoting a state or quality. However, its use is generally discouraged due to its non-standard nature. Ludwig indicates it's not correct, suggesting alternatives are preferred.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the term "patness" appears in several sources, Ludwig identifies it as incorrect and not suitable for standard written English. It seems to aim to describe a quality of being fitting or appropriate, perhaps to a suspicious degree. Alternatives such as "appropriateness", "suitability", or "obviousness" are much better choices. The predominant use is in news and media, but given its non-standard status, it's best to opt for more recognized vocabulary to ensure clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriateness

Emphasizes the suitability or fitness of something for a particular purpose or situation.

suitability

Highlights how well something matches the requirements of a specific context.

aptness

Focuses on the relevance and correctness of something in a given situation.

convenience

Stresses the ease and efficiency that something provides.

felicity

Highlights the pleasing and effective quality of something.

cleverness

Indicates ingenuity or wit in the execution or design of something.

smoothness

Refers to the even and seamless quality of something.

flatness

Refers to the quality of being even and without bumps or curves

obviousness

Emphasizes that something is easily perceived or understood.

transparency

Highlights the clear and easily understood nature of something.

FAQs

What does "patness" mean?

The term "patness" is not a standard English word. It appears to refer to something being particularly fitting, apt, or even suspiciously convenient in a given context, however, it's better to use a more common word such as "appropriateness".

Is "patness" a real word?

While "patness" appears in some publications, it is considered a non-standard or uncommon term. It's generally advisable to use more widely recognized synonyms like "suitability" or "aptness".

What are some alternatives to using "patness" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you could replace "patness" with words like "appropriateness", "relevance", "obviousness", or "smoothness". Choose the word that best fits the intended meaning.

How can I avoid using non-standard words like "patness" in my writing?

To avoid using non-standard terms, consult a comprehensive dictionary or thesaurus, and pay attention to feedback from editors or proofreaders. Rely on established vocabulary to ensure clarity and credibility. For example, use "convenience" instead.