they are inconsistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are inconsistent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where things do not align or agree with each other, often in the context of data, statements, or behaviors. Example: "The results of the experiment were troubling because they are inconsistent with our initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And they are inconsistent.

The Economist

"I don't think they are inconsistent".

The New York Times

They are inconsistent with American ideals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sections 17 and 18 are preempted because they are inconsistent with § 205.9.

Cornell University

They are inconsistent with the conjecture that the value and size effects are compensation for the risk of financial distress.

Harvard University

Under ordinary circumstances, one would expect Republicans at least to respect free trade, but alas, they are inconsistent at best.

The Guardian - Opinion

CFD codes can usually predict trends due to Reynolds number in 2-D, but they are inconsistent in the prediction of trends due to configuration changes.

Progress in Aerospace Sciences

"We submit that the orders made involve such a significant departure from the principle of open justice they are inconsistent with the rule of law and democratic accountability".

The Guardian

Research and development money is sometimes spent on projects which are later abandoned because they are inconsistent with broader corporate objectives.

Harvard Business Review

"As detailed throughout this report, some of those accounts are inaccurate because they are inconsistent with the physical and forensic evidence".

Independent

Both are incredibly successful in their own domains, but they are inconsistent with one another.For decades physicists have tried to put the two together.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are inconsistent", ensure the context clearly identifies what "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify whether you're talking about data sets, arguments, or behaviors.

Common error

Avoid using "they are inconsistent" without a clearly defined antecedent for "they". Readers should immediately understand what the pronoun refers to; otherwise, the sentence becomes confusing and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are inconsistent" functions as a statement of incompatibility or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Examples from Ludwig show its use in academic, news, and scientific contexts, denoting contradiction between data, ideas, or behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are inconsistent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a lack of alignment or agreement between multiple entities. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is frequently used across diverse contexts, from academic research to news reporting. To ensure clarity, define the antecedent of "they" and be aware of alternative phrases like ""they contradict each other"" or ""they don't align"" to fine-tune your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they don't align

Replaces "inconsistent" with a more straightforward term related to alignment.

they contradict each other

Highlights the direct opposition or conflict between the subjects.

they are not in agreement

Emphasizes the lack of consensus or harmony.

they are at odds

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate conflict or disagreement.

they clash

Implies a strong disagreement or incompatibility.

they are incompatible

Focuses on the inability of the subjects to coexist or work together.

they diverge

Suggests a separation or deviation in opinion or direction.

they are discordant

Emphasizes a lack of harmony or agreement.

there's a discrepancy between them

Highlights the difference and lack of correspondence between items.

they fail to correspond

Emphasizes the lack of matching or alignment.

FAQs

How can I use "they are inconsistent" in a sentence?

Use "they are inconsistent" to indicate a lack of agreement or coherence between multiple entities. For example, "The survey results are interesting, but "they are inconsistent" with the previous year's data".

What phrases can I use instead of "they are inconsistent"?

Alternatives include "they contradict each other", "they don't align", or "they are incompatible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they are inconsistent"?

Yes, "they are inconsistent" is grammatically correct. "They" is a plural pronoun and "are" is the correct verb conjugation. "Inconsistent" is an adjective describing the state of "they".

What's the difference between "they are inconsistent" and "it is inconsistent"?

"They are inconsistent" refers to multiple items or concepts, whereas "it is inconsistent" refers to a single item or concept. For example, "The findings are inconsistent" versus "This finding is inconsistent".