uneven quality

USAGE SUMMARY

'uneven quality' is correct and usable in written English.
It means that something is not equal in quality or of good quality all the way through. For example, you could say "The book had an uneven quality, with some chapters much more interesting than others".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their gift was of uneven quality.

The New York Times - Arts

But the uneven quality of the writing has consequence.

The New York Times - Books

All these are, at best, works of uneven quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The uneven quality of China's colleges presents one problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

Jack London's hastily written output is of uneven quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This uneven quality of care, experts say, can mean an uneven quality of evidence with which to prosecute some of society's most malevolent criminals.

The New York Times

The inefficiency of farms meant low crop yields, high prices, limited choice, and uneven quality.

The New Yorker

Uneven quality persists even in colon cancer, one of the most common types.

The New York Times - Health

The uneven quality of American health care is easy to complain about but hard to fix.

The New York Times

The four films in the new set are interesting but of uneven quality.

The New York Times

The result has been a collection of great size but of uneven quality.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uneven quality", be specific about what aspects are inconsistent. Instead of just saying "the product had uneven quality", specify whether it was the materials, construction, or performance that varied.

Common error

Avoid using "uneven quality" as a vague criticism. Provide concrete examples of the inconsistencies to make your point more persuasive and actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uneven quality" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It serves to qualify a noun, indicating that its quality is not uniform.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uneven quality" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that lacks consistency in its level of excellence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, though it often carries a slightly negative connotation. While commonly found in news and media, science and encyclopedias, it's crucial to be specific about the inconsistencies rather than using it as a vague criticism. Consider alternatives like "inconsistent quality" or "variable quality" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. In short, use "uneven quality" judiciously to provide a clear and actionable assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistent quality

Focuses on the lack of consistency rather than just the presence of variance in quality.

variable quality

Highlights the fluctuating nature of the quality, suggesting it changes over time or across instances.

patchy quality

Implies that good and bad quality are interspersed, like patches on a surface.

erratic quality

Suggests unpredictable and irregular changes in quality.

fluctuating quality

Emphasizes the up-and-down movement of quality levels.

mixed quality

Indicates a blend of both good and poor elements within the same entity.

unequal quality

Highlights the disparity in quality between different parts or instances.

inconsistent standard

Shifts the focus from quality as a whole to the lack of consistency in meeting a specific standard.

variable standard

Highlights how the specific standard changes over time or across instances.

spotty quality

Similar to "patchy", suggesting isolated instances of good or bad quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "uneven quality" to describe something that varies in its level of excellence or consistency. For instance, "The restaurant's service was of "uneven quality", with some servers being attentive and others being neglectful".

What are some alternatives to "uneven quality"?

Some alternatives include "inconsistent quality", "variable quality", or "patchy quality". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as having "uneven quality"?

When something has "uneven quality", it means that its quality is not consistent; some aspects or parts may be good, while others are poor or mediocre. This suggests a lack of uniformity or reliability.

Is "uneven quality" a negative attribute?

Yes, "uneven quality" is generally considered a negative attribute because it implies a lack of reliability and consistency. Customers or users typically prefer consistent and predictable quality over something that is sometimes good and sometimes bad.