shows a pattern of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shows a pattern of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing consistent behaviors, trends, or characteristics observed in data or subjects. For example, "The study shows a pattern of increased productivity among remote workers." Alternative expressions include "demonstrates a trend of" and "exhibits a pattern of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That could account for wreckage that shows a pattern of burns indicating the alternating presence and absence of hot gases.

The New York Times

It shows a pattern of settlements and tracks that is the template for most of today's villages and roads.

The Guardian

A review of veterinary records at the National Zoo shows a pattern of misinformation and mistakes, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.

The New York Times

"It shows a pattern of behavior by Tim Johnson to avoid his responsibilities and violate the trust his constituents placed in him," Mr. Kelleher said last week.

The New York Times

The biopsy shows a pattern of epithelial growth that exactly recapitulates the nail matrix and as well there appears to be cytopathic changes of human papilloma virus.

Cornell University

We also document dietary transitions in a Middle Palaeolithic juvenile Neanderthal, which shows a pattern of exclusive breastfeeding for seven months, followed by seven months of supplementation.

Nature

The archaeological record shows a pattern of sophisticated behaviors appearing at many sites in Africa around this time, including advanced tools, trade, art and burial rituals.

The New York Times

A look at what happened over the two periods — from 2002 to 2007 and from 2007 to 2013 — shows a pattern of reversal.

The New York Times

In Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows a pattern of white matter (WM) disruption but may also overlook some WM damage.

Autoimmunity Reviews

Amnesty's report - Below the Radar: Secret Flights to Torture and "Disappearance" - shows a pattern of nearly 1,000 flights directly linked to the CIA through "front" companies, most of which, it says, have used European airspace.

The Guardian

Comparison of experiment (left) to theory (right): The image on the left shows a pattern of waves imaged with scanning tunneling microscopy, revealing all the possible ways in which electrons can interfere with each other on the surface.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shows a pattern of", ensure that the evidence supporting the pattern is clearly presented and verifiable. Avoid making unsubstantiated claims about patterns without sufficient data.

Common error

Avoid interpreting randomness as a significant pattern. Before concluding that something "shows a pattern of", ensure the observed trend is statistically significant and not merely a coincidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shows a pattern of" functions as a verb phrase that introduces an observation about recurring behavior or trends. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in reporting findings across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

46%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shows a pattern of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight recurring trends or behaviors across various domains. Ludwig AI provides a wide range of examples demonstrating its utility in news, scientific research, and academic writing. The analysis indicates that the phrase is generally neutral in register, leaning toward professional contexts. While alternatives like "exhibits a trend of" or "demonstrates a tendency for" exist, "shows a pattern of" remains a versatile and effective choice for conveying the presence of regularity in observed phenomena.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibits a trend of

Replaces "shows" with "exhibits" and "pattern" with "trend", emphasizing a direction or tendency.

demonstrates a tendency for

Substitutes "shows" with "demonstrates" and "pattern" with "tendency", focusing on a predisposition towards something.

reveals a recurring behavior in

Replaces "shows a pattern of" with a more descriptive phrase that highlights the repetitive nature of the behavior.

indicates a consistent habit of

Changes "shows" to "indicates" and "pattern" to "habit", emphasizing a repeated action or practice.

displays a repeated occurrence of

Substitutes "shows a pattern of" with a phrase that highlights the repeated nature of the occurrences.

presents a repetitive sequence of

Replaces "shows a pattern of" with a phrase that focuses on the sequential and repetitive nature of the elements.

unveils a predictable order of

Changes "shows" to "unveils" and "pattern" to "order", implying a structured and foreseeable arrangement.

suggests a systematic arrangement in

Substitutes "shows a pattern of" with a phrase that emphasizes the organized and methodical nature of the arrangement.

establishes a rhythmic succession of

Replaces "shows a pattern of" with a phrase that underscores the rhythmic and sequential nature of the succession.

implies a structured format in

Changes "shows" to "implies" and "pattern" to "format", suggesting an inherent organization or structure.

FAQs

How can I use "shows a pattern of" in a sentence?

You can use "shows a pattern of" to describe recurring behaviors, trends, or characteristics. For example, "The data "shows a pattern of" increased sales during the holiday season".

What are some alternatives to "shows a pattern of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exhibits a trend of", "demonstrates a tendency for", or "reveals a recurring behavior in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "shows a pattern of" or "indicates a pattern of"?

Both ""shows a pattern of"" and "indicates a pattern of" are correct. "Shows" suggests a more direct observation, while "indicates" implies that the pattern points to a broader conclusion.

What's the difference between "shows a pattern of" and "suggests a pattern of"?

"Shows a pattern of" implies a more evident or demonstrable regularity, while "suggests a pattern of" indicates a possible but not definitively proven pattern.