uneven time

USAGE SUMMARY

"uneven time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a period of time that is not consistent or regular. It can be used in different contexts, such as: - "The construction project faced delays due to the workers being paid on an uneven time basis." - "He struggled with keeping up with his studies because he had to work part-time at an uneven time schedule." - "The play's pacing felt off, with the plot moving at an uneven time frame." - "The weather patterns have caused uneven time intervals between rainfall." - "Her sleep schedule was affected by working night shifts, resulting in an uneven time pattern."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Jonny started off with a melody that snaked along in uneven time — one-two-three-one-two-three-one-two — and swayed between A major and F major.

The New Yorker

Burnett, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal before the 2009 season, has had an uneven time in the Bronx.

The New York Times - Sports

Burnett, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal before the 2009 season, has had a very uneven time in the Bronx.

The New York Times

In the application of moment tensor inversion, we encountered the common problems also cited by Stich et al. (2005) such as the absence of three components of the historical seismograms, uneven time marks on the records (which results in an incoherency between seismic waveforms when they are superposed to each other).

Earth, Planets and Space

Two replicates consist of measurements at 11 time points of uneven time intervals to capture the periods immediately after the transitions from dark (light) to light (dark).

Plosone

Whenever a time series contained uneven time steps, the series was instead divided into intervals according to the different time steps method.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The language of his more experimental books, like "Visions of Cody" (written after "On the Road"), is uneven, at times brilliant, at times problematic.

The New York Times - Books

"The plot is thin but fun … and the story is uneven," writes Time Out's Tom Huddlestone.

The Guardian - Film

In addition, enforcement of the policy was somewhat uneven over time, generally being strongest in cities and more lenient in the countryside.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then there are the stand-up comics turned pontificating policy wonks who host these shows: HBO's ambitious but uneven "Real Time With Bill Maher," CNBC's floundering "Dennis Miller" and, at the dismal bottom of the heap, Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn".

The New York Times - Arts

The distribution of precipitation is highly uneven in time and space.

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or processes occurring at "uneven time" intervals, be specific about the nature of the irregularity. Provide details or data to illustrate the extent of the variation to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "uneven time" when you specifically mean completely random or unpredictable timing. "Uneven" suggests a lack of uniformity, but not necessarily a lack of pattern or predictability. For true randomness, use terms like "random intervals" or "unpredictable timing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uneven time" functions primarily as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "uneven" modifies the noun "time", indicating that the temporal aspect being described lacks uniformity or consistency. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uneven time" is a valid and frequently used phrase to describe periods characterized by irregularity or inconsistency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, predominantly in science and news media. When using the phrase, ensure that you are describing true irregularity rather than pure randomness and specify how the time intervals vary to improve clarity. Consider alternatives such as "irregular time" or "inconsistent timing" depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irregular time

Replaces "uneven" with a direct synonym, maintaining the core meaning of non-uniformity.

unequal periods

Focuses on the lack of equality in the lengths of time.

inconsistent timing

Shifts the focus to the act of timing itself, highlighting the lack of consistency.

erratic schedule

Focuses on a plan or timetable that lacks regularity or predictability.

staggered timing

Suggests a deliberate or unintentional offset in the timing of events.

sporadic intervals

Emphasizes the intermittent and unpredictable nature of the time gaps.

disparate intervals

Highlights the distinct and often unrelated nature of the time spans.

variable duration

Highlights that the length of time is subject to change or differ.

unpredictable tempo

Applies the concept to the speed or pace of an event or process.

fluctuating timeline

Emphasizes the changing and unstable nature of a sequence of events.

FAQs

What does "uneven time" mean?

"Uneven time" refers to a period where the intervals or occurrences are not consistent or regular. It implies a lack of uniformity in the temporal spacing of events or actions.

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

You might say, "The project experienced delays due to the "uneven time" it took to receive necessary approvals," or "The musician experimented with "uneven time signatures" in his compositions."

What are some alternatives to "uneven time"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "irregular time", "inconsistent timing", or "erratic schedule".

Is it correct to say "uneven timing" instead of "uneven time"?

Yes, "uneven timing" is also correct and conveys a similar meaning. While "uneven time" emphasizes the time period itself, "uneven timing" focuses more on the act or process of timing events. Both options are grammatically sound.