things got patchy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things got patchy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that has become inconsistent, unreliable, or unclear over time. Example: "At first, the project was going smoothly, but as deadlines approached, things got patchy, and communication broke down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then things got patchy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Recently things have got patchier; they might be patchier still were the Iraqi and Syrian governments to stop paying civil-service salaries to workers in IS-controlled areas.

The Economist

The National Guard has been particularly useful for this.However, once homeland security starts involving co-operation between states or private groups, things get more patchy.

The Economist

Then things got confusing.

The New Yorker

Briefly, things got better.

Independent

Later, things got murkier.

The New York Times

Then things got harder.

The New Yorker

Things got messy.

The New York Times - Books

Then things got strange.

The New York Times - Sports

Then things got ugly.

The New York Times

Predictably, things got raucous.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things got patchy" to describe situations where performance or quality varies significantly over time or across different areas. For example, you might say, "The internet connection got patchy during the storm."

Common error

While "things got patchy" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "performance became inconsistent" or "quality deteriorated intermittently" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things got patchy" functions as a description of a situation's evolution, specifically indicating a decline into inconsistency or unreliability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The example sentences demonstrate its use in describing changes in quality or performance over time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things got patchy" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation that has become inconsistent or unreliable. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is more appropriate for neutral or informal contexts. While its frequency is rare, understanding its meaning and suitable alternatives, such as "became erratic" or "turned inconsistent", can enhance clarity and precision in writing. Be mindful of overuse in formal settings and consider the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things became spotty

Uses 'spotty' as a synonym for 'patchy', suggesting intermittent problems.

things became erratic

Replaces 'patchy' with 'erratic', focusing on unpredictable changes.

things turned inconsistent

Substitutes 'got patchy' with 'turned inconsistent', emphasizing a lack of uniformity.

things grew uneven

Replaces 'patchy' with 'uneven', highlighting the irregularity of the situation.

the situation deteriorated

Focuses on the decline in quality or condition, rather than the inconsistency.

the process became unreliable

Highlights the lack of dependability in a process.

consistency faltered

Emphasizes the failure of maintaining a consistent state.

quality became variable

Focuses on the changes in quality over time.

performance fluctuated

Highlights the ups and downs of performance.

standards slipped intermittently

Highlights temporary declines in standards, suggesting a lack of sustained quality.

FAQs

How can I use "things got patchy" in a sentence?

You can use "things got patchy" to describe a situation that becomes inconsistent or unreliable. For example: "At first, the project was going smoothly, but as deadlines approached, "things got patchy", and communication broke down."

What's a more formal way to say "things got patchy"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "the situation became inconsistent" or "the process deteriorated intermittently".

What does it mean when someone says "things got patchy"?

When someone says "things got patchy", it means that a situation that was once stable or consistent has become uneven, unreliable, or unpredictable.

Is "things got patchy" appropriate for academic writing?

While understandable, "things got patchy" might be too informal for most academic writing. Alternatives like "performance became inconsistent" or "quality fluctuated" might be more suitable in academic contexts.