random

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "random" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is made, done, or happening without a specific pattern, purpose, or objective. Example: "The selection of participants for the study was completely random to ensure unbiased results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One voter chosen at random will receive £150 worth of gift vouchers for Nigel's Eco Store.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now it's as though only designs featuring the liberal application of gradient, southern cross stars and random colour splotches get a gig.

The Guardian - Sport

The schools becoming academies were far from random ("outstanding" institutions enjoyed special freedoms to convert; failing schools were sometimes forced), so the department proposed, and identified funds for, a systematic evaluation.

The Guardian

There's been no random act of violence involving a politician, no John Prescott punch.

The Guardian - Opinion

Acts of random violence and kindness co-exist in both novels as the characters criss-cross each other's lives and the bleak landscapes.

The Guardian - Books

Another night, I drunk-dialed a random guy I'd met online – and with whom I'd been on one (and only one) disastrous date – inviting him over and begging him to stay the night.

The Guardian - Opinion

Around the random murders, the film hones in on Berlin's melancholy, a landscape of puddles and prostitutes, a silent city – the hush broken by bells or shrieks, the tap-tap of a tool being sharpened, and haunted by the killer's eerie whistling of Grieg's "In the Hall of The Mountain King".

The Guardian - Film

Bernie has lately hit on the notion that F1 would be considerably enlivened if water were sprayed on the track at random moments during the race (I'm not sure, but does anyone else detect a Flashdance influence here?).

The Guardian - Sport

So we keep singing to this random group of defence contractors in the middle of Arizona.

The Guardian

A single example, plucked at random from a lifetime's supply: years ago, after I'd been bickering with a friend who was visiting my flat in London, she fell silent for several minutes and then, pointing to my wooden floors, observed, "You know that floor's laminate, don't you?" (It was laminate. I'd been lying to myself for years that it was pine).

The Guardian - Opinion

But he took umbrage at the suggestion that he was fixing the walkabout and began to approach random doors, where the reception was no less appreciative, with demands for selfies and invitations to come in for tea.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "random" to suggest an unexpected or surprising element. It indicates the absence of a predictable pattern.

Common error

While both terms imply a lack of order, "haphazard" suggests carelessness or negligence, whereas "random" simply indicates a lack of predictable pattern without negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

The word "random" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of predictability, pattern, or purpose. Ludwig shows its versatile use in contexts ranging from describing selections to characterizing events, indicating its role in defining the nature of things or occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Books

10%

Tech

5%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "random" is a versatile adjective widely used to describe the absence of predictability or pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage across diverse contexts like News & Media, Lifestyle and Sport. While it's generally interchangeable with alternatives like "unpredictable" or "arbitrary", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. It is important to use "random" to emphasize impartiality and lack of bias, and to choose it over "haphazard" which often suggests carelessness. Understanding these nuances will help you use "random" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpredictable

Focuses on the inability to foresee outcomes or behaviors.

arbitrary

Highlights the lack of a clear reason or system.

chance

Emphasizes the role of luck or coincidence.

haphazard

Stresses the lack of organization or planning.

unforeseen

Implies something unexpected and not anticipated.

unplanned

Highlights the absence of prior arrangement or design.

fortuitous

Indicates a chance occurrence that is positive or beneficial.

incidental

Suggests something occurring as a minor accompaniment or consequence.

unmethodical

Emphasizes the lack of a systematic or orderly approach.

stochastic

Emphasizes randomness from a statistical perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "random" in a sentence?

You can use "random" to describe something lacking a pattern, purpose, or objective. For example, "The lottery numbers are chosen by a "random number generator"."

What's a good alternative to the word "random"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "arbitrary", "unpredictable", or "chance".

Is it always appropriate to use "random", or are there situations where another word is better?

While "random" is generally acceptable, consider the nuance you want to convey. If you want to emphasize lack of planning, use "unplanned". If you mean something done without reason, "arbitrary" might be more suitable.

How does "random" differ from "coincidental"?

"Random" describes a lack of pattern or purpose, while "coincidental" suggests two or more things happening at the same time by chance. A "random event" may or may not be coincidental.