uneven performance

USAGE SUMMARY

"uneven performance" is a correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
You can use "uneven performance" to describe someone or something's performance when it is inconsistent or fluctuating. It can also refer to a situation where there are noticeable differences in performance between different individuals or teams. Example: The new employee's uneven performance has been a cause for concern. While she excels in some tasks, her performance in others is below average. Example: The team's uneven performance during the season has been reflected in their rankings. Some games they played exceptionally well, while in others they struggled to keep up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inevitably, it was an uneven performance.

The New Yorker

Jeff Hickman was a beneficiary of the uneven performance.

The Washington Post

His uneven performance was left to speak for itself.

The New York Times - Sports

And the kitchen turned in an uneven performance.

The New York Times - Food

Jankovic, meanwhile, appeared exasperated with Williams's unpredictably uneven performance.

The New York Times - Sports

The market put in an uneven performance, however, reflecting a mix of influences.

The New York Times

On Friday the Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian gave a perplexingly uneven performance in the role.

The New York Times

In the previous game at Lehigh, Princeton won 17­ 14 despite an uneven performance on offense.

Princeton University

Despite the Loft's uneven performance, it produces about as many hits as misses.

The New York Times

Even The Associated Press reported that Dr. Dean "did not help himself with an uneven performance".

The New York Times

Now, people in and out of the organization wonder about the reason for his uneven performance.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "uneven performance" to introduce a more detailed explanation of the inconsistencies. For instance, "The company's "uneven performance" can be attributed to market fluctuations and internal restructuring."

Common error

Don't use "uneven performance" without providing context or examples. Saying "the project had an "uneven performance"" is vague. Instead, specify which aspects fluctuated or underperformed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uneven performance" functions as a descriptive term, typically acting as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used phrase. It describes the quality of an action or output, indicating inconsistency or fluctuation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

3%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uneven performance" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes situations where results or abilities fluctuate or lack consistency. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, but also appears in sports, business, and the arts. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to provide specific examples of the inconsistencies when using the phrase. Related terms include "inconsistent execution" and "variable output". Avoiding overly general statements ensures the phrase's impact and effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistent execution

Focuses on the irregularity in how tasks are carried out.

variable output

Highlights the changing nature of the results produced.

erratic delivery

Emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the performance.

fluctuating results

Points to the ups and downs in the outcomes achieved.

patchy track record

Suggests a history of both successes and failures.

mixed bag of results

Implies a combination of good and bad outcomes.

sporadic achievement

Indicates that successes are infrequent and inconsistent.

unpredictable showings

Highlights the inability to anticipate the quality of performance.

oscillating proficiency

Describes a skill level that goes up and down.

unstable showing

Similar to erratic, it refers to something that is not consistent

FAQs

How can I use "uneven performance" in a sentence?

You can use "uneven performance" to describe situations where results or abilities fluctuate. For example: "The team's "uneven performance" made it difficult to predict their success."

What's a good alternative to "uneven performance"?

Alternatives include "inconsistent execution", "variable output", or "erratic delivery", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "uneven performance" or "inconsistent performance"?

Both "uneven performance" and "inconsistent performance" are valid, but "uneven" often suggests a more noticeable fluctuation or disparity, while "inconsistent" emphasizes a lack of uniformity.

What causes an "uneven performance"?

An "uneven performance" can result from various factors, such as lack of training, inconsistent effort, external distractions, or fluctuating resources.