significant unpredictability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant unpredictability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or phenomenon that has a high degree of uncertainty or variability. Example: "The weather patterns in this region exhibit significant unpredictability, making it difficult to plan outdoor events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The heightened standards and new interpretations that are now being used by USCIS to scrutinize and deny H-1B petitions are causing significant unpredictability for employers in staffing important positions," said Marketa Lindt, a business immigration lawyer in Chicago and a vice president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

With a speaker implanted in the bell of the saxophone, the performer's playing of this modified instrument adds an additional layer of complexity that contributes significant instability and unpredictability in this re-embodied system.

Columbia University

However, the only significant correlation between unpredictability and fear for the low-fear animals was for cats.

BMC Psychiatry

Good quality data is an essential step in the journey, but the most significant challenge is the "unpredictability" of people who use buildings: you and me.

The Guardian

In addition, all the variables except unpredictability exhibited significant associations with fear of low-fear animals.

BMC Psychiatry

This unpredictability created significant anxiety for these women, who then had to turn to others for support.

Globalization and Health

The election is also remarkable for its unpredictability following a significant constitutional devolution of central government power in 2010 under the presidency of Asif Ali Zardari, and the linked development of a more open, freer public discourse.

The Guardian

"It is really kind of scary to see some of the things that are happening – whether it's damage to villages, the changes in the Arctic we have been talking about earlier, but also when we are talking about some of the significant weather events and the unpredictability of things happening around the world," Papp told a conference call with reporters on Friday.

The Guardian

In conventional hypothesis-testing terms, the quadratic density × unpredictability interaction was significant (χ = 26.07, d.f. = 2, p < 0.0001).

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

From the fact that the area × items × unpredictability interaction is significant, we already know that item number by itself is not enough to explain the relationship between hit success and unpredictability.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

Functional assignments for short-read metagenomic data pose a significant computational challenge due to perceived unpredictability of alignment behavior and the inability to infer useful functional information from translated protein-fragments/peptides.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant unpredictability", ensure the context clearly establishes what is unpredictable and why it matters. Provide specific examples or consequences to illustrate the impact of this unpredictability.

Common error

Avoid using "significant unpredictability" when the unpredictability is minor or has little consequence. Reserve the phrase for situations where the uncertainty genuinely has a substantial effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant unpredictability" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies the noun "unpredictability". Ludwig's examples show it describing the degree of uncertainty in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant unpredictability" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe situations characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. According to Ludwig's AI, it is correct and understandable. While not exceptionally common, it appears across reputable sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and academic texts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes what is unpredictable and why the uncertainty is meaningful. Alternatives like "considerable uncertainty" or "substantial variability" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid overstating the impact of the unpredictability to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable uncertainty

Emphasizes the degree of uncertainty rather than the unpredictable nature.

pronounced uncertainty

Similar to "considerable uncertainty" but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

substantial variability

Focuses on the degree of variation rather than predictability.

meaningful indeterminacy

Emphasizes the absence of fixed or predictable outcomes.

marked instability

Highlights the lack of stability and potential for sudden change.

high degree of randomness

Emphasizes the lack of pattern and chance-driven nature.

severe volatility

Highlights the potential for large and abrupt changes.

notable capriciousness

Implies a whimsical and impulsive quality to the unpredictability.

considerable fluctuation

Focuses on the varying nature of the situation.

major contingency

Highlights the dependence on uncertain future events.

FAQs

How can I use "significant unpredictability" in a sentence?

You can use "significant unpredictability" to describe situations where outcomes are difficult to predict and have a notable impact. For example, "The market is characterized by "significant unpredictability" due to fluctuating consumer confidence."

What are some alternatives to "significant unpredictability"?

Alternatives include "considerable uncertainty", "substantial variability", or "marked instability", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "high unpredictability" or "significant unpredictability"?

"Significant unpredictability" emphasizes the importance or impact of the unpredictability, while "high unpredictability" focuses on the degree or extent of it. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What causes "significant unpredictability"?

"Significant unpredictability" can be caused by various factors, such as complex systems, rapidly changing conditions, or incomplete information. The specific cause depends on the context in which the phrase is used.