this was not methodical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was not methodical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or process that lacked a systematic or organized approach. Example: "The way the team approached the project was chaotic; this was not methodical at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"This was not methodical".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Gainsborough was not methodical in keeping sitter books, and comparatively few of the portraits in the early years in London are dated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was not methodical: the first thing I wrote would never be the first chapter, maybe it would become the fourth or fifth chapter.

The Guardian

Goodall accounts for these lapses by citing her hectic work schedule and her chaotic method of note-taking: "I am not methodical enough, I guess," she says.

BBC

His procedure, drawing one then another part of the picture, is not methodical.

The New York Times - Arts

However the process is not methodical and may misguide the entire planning process [18, 31].

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Furthermore, this approach proves that the two STR lengths as defined for MIB6 of serotype B11 (Table 1) are not methodical artifacts but are founder haplotype specific (Fig. 2).

Plosone

Though, this wasn't a methodical social survey with a proper research model at its base, yet it gave me a realistic reflection of how connected, or rather disconnected, the ordinary ASEAN citizen was from its grand, projected image.

Huffington Post

"I was very methodical in making sure this was not just a personality conflict," Captain Polet said in an interview.

The New York Times

Jazz isn't methodical but Jazz isn't messy either.

Huffington Post

Cruz isn't methodical; he's all zeal and no plan, as evidenced by his unusual, quick burst announcement that he's running for president.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was not methodical" to clearly indicate a lack of systematic or organized procedure. It is useful when contrasting with a situation where a methodical approach would be expected or beneficial.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "this was not methodical" means that something was done carelessly. While a methodical approach often implies care, the phrase primarily points to a lack of a structured or systematic process, not necessarily a lack of attention to detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was not methodical" functions as a descriptive statement indicating the absence of a systematic or organized approach. As shown in Ludwig, it serves to highlight a lack of structure in a process or action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was not methodical" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express that something lacked a systematic or organized approach. As supported by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English, writers should be mindful of the nuance it provides. Consider it when wishing to signal not just a lack of care, but more specifically a lack of structured process. Alternatives such as "it lacked a systematic approach" or "it wasn't performed in an organized manner" can also be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it lacked a systematic approach

Focuses on the absence of a systematic plan.

it lacked a structured process

Stresses the absence of a well-defined process.

it wasn't performed in an organized manner

Emphasizes the disorganization of the action.

it was not orderly

Highlights the lack of order and sequence.

there was no set procedure

Highlights the absence of established steps.

it wasn't well planned

Emphasizes the inadequate planning.

it was done haphazardly

Indicates a random and unplanned execution.

the method was absent

Highlights the absence of established steps.

it wasn't carried out deliberately

Focuses on the lack of intentionality in the action.

it was an ad-hoc decision

Emphasizes that decisions were made without any planning.

FAQs

How can I use "this was not methodical" in a sentence?

You can use "this was not methodical" to describe a process or action that lacked a systematic or organized approach. For example, "The investigation was rushed; this was not methodical at all."

What are some alternatives to "this was not methodical"?

Alternatives include "it lacked a systematic approach", "it wasn't performed in an organized manner", or "there was no set procedure" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this was not methodical"?

Yes, the phrase "this was not methodical" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to indicate a lack of a structured or organized approach.

In what contexts is "this was not methodical" typically used?

The phrase is often used in contexts where a methodical approach is expected or where its absence is noteworthy, such as in discussions of investigations, scientific studies, or project management.