patterning it after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patterning it after" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of creating something based on a model or example. Example: "The designer is patterning it after the latest trends in sustainable fashion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Later Roman historians portrayed the war as having lasted 10 years (406 396 bc), patterning it after the mythical Trojan War of the Greeks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Allison Hooper, Mr. Reese's partner, patterned it after the no-fat fromage blanc she learned to make when she worked on a farm in France.

The New York Times - Food

The white-domed Rotunda catches the dying light; Jefferson patterned it after the Pantheon in Rome, but at this time of day it floats over the scene like a Virginian Taj Mahal.

The Washington Post

"I wish we could do a more liberal law, but we're going to pattern it after the Oregon law because it passed.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I wish we could do a more liberal law, but we're going to pattern it after the Oregon law because it passed," he said during the 2008 campaign.

The New York Times

"We're trying to pattern it after a graduate student experience, where you might begin by learning some basic science and research methods, then go on to develop your own research". Unlike most laboratory exercises used in science classes, the research projects described in Invasion Ecology pose real questions.

Cornell University

Kimbrough said he supports a health plan for 37 million working Americans who lack health insurance and would pattern it after the program recently begun by Dukakis in Massachusetts.

Los Angeles Times

Here in Salt Lake City, a group of state lawmakers is drafting a bill patterned after it.

The New York Times

William Hill said it had "never seen a betting pattern like it", after a spate of bets made Wolf Hall "the only one in the running for the punters".

The Guardian - Books

Additionally, we showed that hand hygiene performance followed a daily pattern: it was most intense after shift handover, and after dinnertime.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Astaire reacted negatively to the first drafts, complaining that "it is patterned too closely after The Gay Divorcee", and "I am cast as... a sort of objectionable young man without charm or sympathy or humour".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patterning it after" when you want to indicate a deliberate act of basing a design, method, or concept on an existing model. It implies a thoughtful adaptation rather than a mere imitation.

Common error

Avoid using "patterning it after" when only a superficial resemblance exists. Ensure there's a clear intention to replicate key aspects of the original model, not just a passing similarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patterning it after" functions as a verb phrase with a prepositional complement, indicating that something is being created or designed based on a pre-existing model. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct. The example sentence illustrates this use, showing a deliberate design choice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patterning it after" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe basing something on an existing model, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. When using this phrase, ensure a clear connection to the original model exists. Alternatives like "modeling it on" or "basing it on" can be used depending on the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modeling it on

Focuses on using something as a direct model, implying a closer resemblance.

basing it on

Highlights the foundation or groundwork that something is built upon.

shaping it after

Emphasizes the act of molding or forming something to resemble something else.

designing it after

Specific to the process of creating a design inspired by something.

fashioning it after

Implies a more artistic or crafted approach to the imitation.

emulating it

Suggests an attempt to match or surpass the original in quality or achievement.

copying it

A straightforward term for making a replica, without necessarily implying inspiration.

following its example

Emphasizes adherence to a precedent or guide.

taking inspiration from it

Highlights the source of creative influence.

drawing inspiration from it

Similar to taking inspiration, but suggests a more active and deliberate process.

FAQs

How can I use "patterning it after" in a sentence?

You can use "patterning it after" to describe something that is based on a model or example. For instance, "The architect is "patterning it after" the Roman Pantheon."

What are some alternatives to "patterning it after"?

Some alternatives include "modeling it on", "basing it on", or "shaping it after", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "patterning it after" formal or informal?

"Patterning it after" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "patterning it after" and "inspired by"?

"Patterning it after" suggests a more direct and intentional replication of specific elements, while "inspired by" implies a looser, more general influence. "Patterning it after" means that the design of something is built according to the style of something else.