sketchy work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sketchy work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe work that is unreliable, incomplete, or of poor quality. Example: "The contractor's sketchy work on the renovation left us with several issues that needed to be fixed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If Internet access is sketchy, work around it.

The New York Times

The link between Manafort's sketchy work in Ukraine and Russia, and his interest in running Trump's campaign, became a lot stronger after the Post piece.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When I finally got the tower paired with my iPhone 5, the connection was still sketchy, working with some apps but not others.

The New York Times

Finally, three sketchy works, including an impulsively penciled woman by Klimt and a patchy watercolor landscape by Cézanne, represent a self-reflexive focus on the procedures of art making.

The New York Times - Arts

Even in the sketchier works on paper, which are hybrids of painting and drawing, Ms. Abbott's compositions are fully activated.

The New York Times

But on the whole, the show's smaller and sketchier works -- like Ms. Jennings's "Gardiner's Bay II," which deftly captures the evanescence of reflected light -- are the most successful.

The New York Times

While I'd love to do this analysis on angel investments, the data is too sketchy to work with.

TechCrunch

Shortly after the review was undertaken, Republicans on the committee decided to cease their participation over what they considered to be sketchy investigative work by their Democratic colleagues.

Huffington Post

Through Feb. 16 Art history has so far produced only a sketchy account of work that emerged from the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and '90s.

The New York Times - Arts

It's good to report that this performance made a much better case for the light, sketchy, sometimes sentimental work than when it was last seen in 2008.

The New York Times - Arts

It is, from what we know now — the details are still somewhat sketchy — not the work of someone who intended to kill multiple people, the way the gunmen in Aurora, Colorado, and Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C., did.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sketchy work", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It can imply incompleteness, unreliability, or a lack of professionalism. Choose the term that best fits the context.

Common error

While "sketchy work" is understandable, it might be too informal for certain professional or academic settings. In these cases, opt for more formal alternatives like "substandard work" or "deficient performance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sketchy work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sketchy" modifies the noun "work". It describes the quality or state of the work being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sketchy work" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe work of questionable quality, reliability, or completeness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the term is generally acceptable, it's more suited for informal contexts. For formal or professional settings, alternatives like "substandard effort" or "deficient job" may be more appropriate. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its common usage in general discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shoddy workmanship

Highlights poor quality and lack of attention to detail in the execution of the work.

substandard effort

Highlights that the work doesn't meet the required or expected level of quality.

deficient job

Indicates that the work is lacking in some essential quality or element.

poorly executed project

Focuses on the inadequate or ineffective way in which the project was carried out.

questionable craftsmanship

Focuses on the poor quality of the execution or skill involved in the work.

flawed performance

Suggests that the work contains errors or imperfections that negatively impact its overall quality.

dubious labor

Emphasizes the uncertainty or doubtfulness associated with the work performed.

unreliable service

Focuses on the lack of dependability or trustworthiness of the work provided.

incomplete task

Emphasizes that the work is not finished or lacks essential parts.

negligent operation

Suggests a lack of care and attention in carrying out the work, potentially leading to negative consequences.

FAQs

What does "sketchy work" mean?

"Sketchy work" generally refers to work that is incomplete, unreliable, or of questionable quality. It suggests a lack of thoroughness or professionalism in the execution of a task.

What are some alternatives to saying "sketchy work"?

You can use alternatives such as "substandard effort", "poorly executed project", or "questionable craftsmanship" depending on the specific context.

How formal is the term "sketchy work"?

The term "sketchy work" is relatively informal. While it's acceptable in many contexts, it may not be appropriate for formal or academic writing. In those situations, consider using more professional alternatives.

Is "sketchy work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sketchy work" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. According to Ludwig, it's a usable phrase.