When something is patchy, it means it's not complete or even. Imagine a lawn with some green grass and some dry, brown spots – that's a patchy lawn.
It can also describe things like information or coverage. If a phone signal is patchy, it means you can only hear parts of the conversation, not all of it continuously.
So, patchy suggests that something is irregular or incomplete, with gaps or inconsistent areas.
When something is described as patchy, it means it occurs or is distributed unevenly, with gaps or inconsistencies rather than being uniform or continuous. This often implies a lack of thoroughness, completeness, or consistent quality. For example, a patchy internet signal might frequently drop out, or patchy evidence might not provide a full picture. It conveys a sense of irregularity and often, unfortunately, inadequacy in coverage or presence.
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
The word 'patchy' describes something that is uneven, inconsistent, or incomplete, appearing in separate, isolated parts rather than being continuous or uniform. Here are some similar words and how they compare:
- Uneven
- This is a very close synonym for 'patchy'. It emphasizes a lack of uniformity or regularity, whether in surface, distribution, or quality. 'Uneven' can be used more broadly than 'patchy', which often implies distinct areas or spots.
The road was uneven after the winter storms.
- Inconsistent
- This word highlights a lack of regularity or predictability. While 'patchy' often refers to physical appearance or distribution, 'inconsistent' can apply to performance, behavior, or quality over time. If something is 'patchy', it often leads to inconsistency in results.
Her attendance has been inconsistent lately.
- Sporadic
- 'Sporadic' emphasizes occurrences that happen at irregular intervals or in scattered instances. It's often used for events or activities rather than physical coverage. While 'patchy' implies existing in patches, 'sporadic' suggests appearing now and then.
There were sporadic outbreaks of the illness.
- Fragmented
- This word implies something that has been broken into pieces or is composed of disconnected parts. It suggests a lack of cohesion or wholeness. A 'patchy' report might be considered 'fragmented' if it lacks a smooth narrative flow.
The evidence presented was fragmented and difficult to understand.
- Incomplete
- While 'patchy' can imply incompleteness, 'incomplete' is a more direct term. 'Patchy' describes the *manner* of incompleteness (in bits and pieces), whereas 'incomplete' simply states that something is not finished or whole.
The information provided was incomplete.
When to use 'patchy':
- Use 'patchy' when you want to describe something that is present or occurs in scattered, uneven areas, often implying a lack of uniform coverage or growth.
- It's particularly good for visual descriptions, like hair growth, paint coverage, or weather patterns (e.g., 'patchy fog').
- It also works well for non-physical things that are inconsistent or unreliable in their presence or quality, such as 'patchy internet connection' or 'patchy evidence'.
Consider the nuances:
- If you want to emphasize a general lack of smoothness or levelness, 'uneven' is a good choice.
- If the key idea is that something changes unpredictably over time, 'inconsistent' or 'sporadic' might be more fitting.
- If something is broken into parts and lacks coherence, 'fragmented' is appropriate.
- If the main point is simply that something is not finished or whole, use 'incomplete'.
By understanding these distinctions, you can choose the most precise word to convey your intended meaning.
Wichtige Grammatik
Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, providing more information about them. 'Patchy' describes the noun's characteristic of being uneven or inconsistent.
The patchy internet coverage made it difficult to stream the movie.
Adjectives can be used in comparative and superlative forms to show degrees of comparison. For 'patchy', these would be 'patchier' and 'patchiest'.
The second coat of paint looked even patchier than the first.
Adjectives can be used predicatively, meaning they follow a linking verb (like 'to be', 'seem', 'appear') and describe the subject.
The grass in the garden appeared quite patchy after the long dry spell.
Adjectives often precede the noun they modify, forming an adjective phrase.
We drove through a patchy fog this morning.
Adjectives can be formed from verbs or nouns by adding suffixes. While 'patchy' itself is not directly formed in this way from a common verb or noun, understanding adjective formation helps recognize other descriptive words.
The artist used a patchy technique to create texture in the painting.
Beispiele nach Niveau
The dog's fur was patchy after its visit to the groomer, with some areas shorter than others.
Some areas of the dog's fur were shorter than others, making it look uneven.
Describes an uneven appearance.
The internet connection was patchy, so the video kept buffering.
The internet was not consistently good; it kept cutting out.
Refers to inconsistent quality or availability.
There was patchy fog on the road, making it difficult to see in some places.
The fog was in some areas but not others, so visibility was sometimes bad.
Indicates something existing in isolated spots.
His knowledge of history is a bit patchy; he knows some events well but not others.
He knows some parts of history well, but not all of it.
Describes incomplete or inconsistent knowledge.
The grass in the park was patchy, with bare spots where people had walked a lot.
There were areas in the grass where there was no grass, because people walked there.
Used to describe uneven or incomplete growth.
Her attendance at school has been patchy this month due to illness.
She has not been to school consistently this month because she was sick.
Refers to inconsistent presence.
The paint job on the old fence was patchy, with some parts looking faded.
The paint on the fence was not even; some parts were faded.
Describes an uneven or incomplete coating.
The early morning sun was patchy, shining through the clouds in different spots.
The sun was not shining everywhere; it was coming through gaps in the clouds.
Indicates light appearing in separate areas.
The evidence presented in court was rather patchy, making it difficult for the jury to reach a definitive conclusion.
The evidence was incomplete/inconsistent.
Using 'rather' to soften the assertion of 'patchy'.
Despite significant investment, the implementation of the new policy has been patchy across different regions, leading to uneven results.
The policy implementation was inconsistent.
'Despite' introduces a contrast between investment and patchy implementation.
Her attendance at the evening classes was quite patchy, which ultimately affected her understanding of the complex material.
Her attendance was irregular/inconsistent.
'Quite' intensifies 'patchy' here, indicating a significant level of inconsistency.
The internet connection in this remote area is notoriously patchy, causing frequent disruptions to online activities.
The internet connection is unreliable/intermittent.
'Notoriously' highlights that the patchy nature of the connection is widely known.
Critics described the film's plot as somewhat patchy, with several underdeveloped subplots that detracted from the main narrative.
The film's plot was uneven/inconsistent.
'Somewhat' indicates a moderate degree of patchiness.
After the long drought, the grass in the fields grew back in a patchy manner, leaving visible areas of bare earth.
The grass grew back unevenly.
'In a patchy manner' is an adverbial phrase describing how the grass grew.
The historical records from that period are regrettably patchy, making it challenging for historians to reconstruct a complete picture.
The historical records are incomplete/fragmented.
'Regrettably' expresses a feeling of sorrow or disappointment about the patchy records.
Even in modern cities, cell phone coverage can be surprisingly patchy, especially in certain buildings or underground areas.
Cell phone coverage can be inconsistent/unreliable.
'Surprisingly' indicates that the patchy coverage is unexpected.
Tipps
Visualize 'patchy' patterns
Imagine a cloudy sky with some blue patches, or a lawn with dry, bare spots. This visual will help you remember the meaning of 'patchy'.
Connect to synonyms
Think of words like 'uneven', 'irregular', or 'spotty'. These can help reinforce the meaning of 'patchy'.
Practice with example sentences
Create sentences using 'patchy', such as 'The internet connection was patchy' or 'Her memory of the event was patchy'. This helps with contextual understanding.
Use flashcards with images
On one side, write 'patchy'. On the other, put the definition and a small image of something patchy, like a road with potholes.
Avoid confusing with 'patchwork'
While related, 'patchwork' usually refers to something made of different pieces sewn together, not necessarily an inconsistent spread. Focus on the inconsistent coverage aspect of 'patchy'.
Think of common collocations
Remember phrases like 'patchy beard', 'patchy fog', or 'patchy information'. This shows how the word is commonly used.
Describe everyday observations
When you see something that isn't uniform, describe it as 'patchy'. For example, 'The paint job on the wall is a bit patchy'.
Understand nuanced usage
In some contexts, 'patchy' can imply a lack of quality due to inconsistency, like a 'patchy performance' in a play.
Explore the etymology
The word 'patchy' comes from 'patch', referring to a small piece or area. Understanding this origin can reinforce the meaning of 'isolated parts'.
Record yourself using the word
Speak sentences with 'patchy' and listen to your pronunciation. This helps with both retention and speaking fluency, especially focusing on the 'ch' sound.
Teste dich selbst 84 Fragen
The dog has some ___ spots on its fur.
'Patchy' means in separate, isolated parts, which describes spots on fur.
The grass in the park is a bit ___ after the dry summer.
'Patchy' describes grass that is not spread evenly, with some dry spots.
My internet connection is ___ today, so it's hard to watch videos.
'Patchy' means inconsistent, which fits a bad internet connection.
The paint on the old wall is ___ in some places.
'Patchy' describes paint that is not even or continuous.
There are some ___ clouds in the sky, not a full cover.
'Patchy' means in separate, isolated parts, which describes clouds not covering the whole sky.
The little girl has some ___ hair on her head.
'Patchy' can describe hair that is not growing evenly.
Listen for the word that describes the dog's fur.
Listen for the word that describes the internet connection.
Listen for the word that describes her knowledge.
Read this aloud:
The garden has patchy grass.
Focus: patchy
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Read this aloud:
My phone signal is patchy here.
Focus: patchy
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Read this aloud:
The paint job on the wall looks patchy.
Focus: patchy
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This sentence describes someone having hair that isn't all there, it's 'patchy'.
This means the rain is not everywhere, it's 'patchy', only in some places.
This sentence says there are some clouds in the sky, but not all over, so they are 'patchy'.
Describe a time when something you saw or experienced was 'patchy'. It could be a patchy internet connection, patchy grass, or patchy paint on a wall. Write 2-3 sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My garden has some patchy grass because it doesn't get enough sun everywhere. Some areas are green and thick, but other parts are bare or have thin grass.
Imagine you are painting a wall. If the paint looks 'patchy', what does that mean? What would you do to fix it? Write 2-3 sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
If the paint looks patchy, it means some parts of the wall have more paint than others. It's not smooth or even. I would add another layer of paint to make it look better.
Think about the weather. Sometimes, the rain can be 'patchy'. What does this mean for different areas? Write 2-3 sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Patchy rain means that it rains in some places but not in others nearby. One town might get a lot of rain, but the next town might stay dry. It's not raining everywhere.
What does 'patchy snow' mean in the passage?
Read this passage:
Sarah went for a walk in the park. She saw that the snow on the ground was patchy. In some areas, there was a lot of snow, but in other areas, the grass was showing through. It looked like some parts of the park had more sun.
What does 'patchy snow' mean in the passage?
The passage says, 'In some areas, there was a lot of snow, but in other areas, the grass was showing through,' which explains that the snow was not continuous or even.
The passage says, 'In some areas, there was a lot of snow, but in other areas, the grass was showing through,' which explains that the snow was not continuous or even.
What happens when the phone signal is 'patchy' in the bedroom?
Read this passage:
My phone signal at home is sometimes patchy. When I am in the kitchen, I can call my friends easily. But when I go to my bedroom, the call often drops. This means the internet connection is not strong in all parts of the house.
What happens when the phone signal is 'patchy' in the bedroom?
The passage states, 'But when I go to my bedroom, the call often drops,' indicating that a patchy signal leads to dropped calls in that area.
The passage states, 'But when I go to my bedroom, the call often drops,' indicating that a patchy signal leads to dropped calls in that area.
What does 'patchy wallpaper' suggest about the house?
Read this passage:
The old house had patchy wallpaper. Some pieces were still on the wall, but many parts had peeled off. You could see the old wall behind the missing pieces. It needed a lot of repair.
What does 'patchy wallpaper' suggest about the house?
The passage mentions that 'many parts had peeled off' and 'You could see the old wall behind the missing pieces,' which means the wallpaper was incomplete and uneven.
The passage mentions that 'many parts had peeled off' and 'You could see the old wall behind the missing pieces,' which means the wallpaper was incomplete and uneven.
The weather forecast said it would be sunny, but we had some ____ clouds this afternoon.
Patchy means existing in separate, isolated parts, which describes clouds that are not spread evenly.
His knowledge of history was a bit ____; he knew a lot about some periods but very little about others.
Patchy suggests inconsistency or incompleteness, which fits the description of knowing a lot about some parts but little about others.
After the fire, the grass grew back in a ____ way, with some areas still bare.
Patchy describes growth that is not spread evenly or continuously, leaving some areas bare.
The internet connection was ____ in the mountains, so it was difficult to make calls.
Patchy describes something that is inconsistent or not continuous, like an internet connection that frequently cuts out.
The paint job on the old fence was very ____, and you could still see the original wood in places.
Patchy suggests incompleteness or unevenness, which is suitable for describing a paint job where parts are still visible.
Despite the sunny spells, the day remained ____, with short bursts of rain.
Patchy describes conditions that are inconsistent or not continuous, such as weather with both sun and rain.
Describe a time when something you were expecting to be complete or even was actually patchy. What was the situation and how did you feel about it?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Last summer, I tried to paint my bedroom wall, but my painting was quite patchy. Some areas were darker, and others were lighter. I felt a bit frustrated because I wanted it to look perfect and smooth. I had to go back and add another coat of paint to make it even.
Imagine you are writing a weather report. How would you use the word 'patchy' to describe the weather conditions?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Good morning! Today's weather will be a mix of sun and clouds. We can expect some patchy fog in the low-lying areas early this morning, clearing up by midday. There's also a chance of patchy rain showers in the afternoon, especially in the northern regions. So, you might see some wet spots, but it won't rain everywhere.
You are giving advice to a friend who is experiencing 'patchy' internet service. What would you suggest they do?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hey, I heard your internet is a bit patchy. That's annoying! I would suggest trying to restart your Wi-Fi router first. Sometimes that helps. If it's still patchy, maybe you could try moving closer to the router, or even call your internet provider to see if there's a problem in your area.
What does 'patchy' tell us about the grass and roses in the garden?
Read this passage:
The old, abandoned house had a beautiful garden once, but now it was overgrown and neglected. The grass was patchy, with some areas tall and green, and others dry and bare. The roses were also patchy, with only a few flowers blooming here and there, making the once vibrant garden look sad and forgotten.
What does 'patchy' tell us about the grass and roses in the garden?
The passage states that the grass had 'some areas tall and green, and others dry and bare' and the roses had 'only a few flowers blooming here and there,' indicating an uneven and inconsistent growth pattern, which is the definition of patchy.
The passage states that the grass had 'some areas tall and green, and others dry and bare' and the roses had 'only a few flowers blooming here and there,' indicating an uneven and inconsistent growth pattern, which is the definition of patchy.
What was the main problem caused by the 'patchy' appearance of the football field?
Read this passage:
After the recent heavy rain, the football field looked quite different. The ground was still wet in some places, but other areas were already drying out, creating a patchy appearance. This made it difficult for the players to move consistently across the field, as some parts were slippery and others were firm.
What was the main problem caused by the 'patchy' appearance of the football field?
The passage clearly states that 'This made it difficult for the players to move consistently across the field, as some parts were slippery and others were firm,' directly linking the patchy appearance to the difficulty in movement.
The passage clearly states that 'This made it difficult for the players to move consistently across the field, as some parts were slippery and others were firm,' directly linking the patchy appearance to the difficulty in movement.
What does the speaker mean by 'patchy phone signal'?
Read this passage:
My phone signal has been really patchy today. One minute I have full bars, and the next, I have no signal at all. It's making it very hard to have a clear conversation or even send a text message without interruptions. I might need to call my network provider.
What does the speaker mean by 'patchy phone signal'?
The speaker says, 'One minute I have full bars, and the next, I have no signal at all,' which perfectly describes an inconsistent or 'patchy' signal.
The speaker says, 'One minute I have full bars, and the next, I have no signal at all,' which perfectly describes an inconsistent or 'patchy' signal.
This sentence describes how the coverage was not even everywhere.
This sentence indicates that the grass is not growing uniformly.
This sentence suggests that the paint application is uneven.
The forecast warned of ___ fog patches across the region, making driving conditions difficult in some areas.
The word 'patchy' fits best here as it describes fog that appears in separate, isolated parts, which aligns with the idea of 'fog patches' and difficult driving conditions 'in some areas'.
Despite their efforts, the internet connection remained ___, constantly dropping out at crucial moments.
A 'patchy' internet connection implies inconsistency and frequent interruptions, which is consistent with 'constantly dropping out'.
The evidence presented in court was quite ___, with significant gaps and inconsistencies in the witness testimonies.
When evidence is 'patchy', it means it is incomplete and has inconsistencies, which matches 'significant gaps and inconsistencies'.
Her knowledge of European history was rather ___, strong in some periods but weak in others.
'Patchy' knowledge suggests inconsistency, being strong in some areas and weak in others, not spread evenly.
The once vibrant lawn was now ___, with dry, brown spots interspersed with green grass.
A 'patchy' lawn accurately describes one with isolated dry spots, indicating uneven growth or appearance.
The artist's early work shows a ___ style, experimenting with different techniques but not yet fully developed.
A 'patchy' style in early work implies inconsistency and incomplete development, as the artist is still experimenting.
The weather forecast warned of ______ fog in the morning, making driving difficult in some areas.
Patchy describes something that appears in isolated parts, which fits the idea of fog making driving difficult only in 'some areas' rather than everywhere.
Despite extensive efforts, the success of the new marketing campaign has been rather ______, with strong results in some regions but not others.
'Patchy' implies inconsistency and unevenness, aligning with the campaign having 'strong results in some regions but not others'.
The evidence presented in court was quite ______, making it hard for the jury to reach a definitive conclusion.
If the evidence is 'patchy', it means it's incomplete or inconsistent, which would indeed make it 'hard for the jury to reach a definitive conclusion'.
If a signal is described as 'patchy', it means it is strong and uninterrupted everywhere.
A 'patchy' signal is intermittent and inconsistent, not strong and uninterrupted everywhere.
A 'patchy' beard indicates that the hair growth is full and even across the face.
A 'patchy' beard means the hair growth is uneven and has gaps, not full and even.
The phrase 'patchy memory' suggests that one remembers everything perfectly and without gaps.
A 'patchy memory' means one remembers some things but has gaps or inconsistencies in their recall, not perfect recall.
The evidence presented in court was rather ___ , making it difficult to form a conclusive judgment.
The word 'patchy' here implies that the evidence was incomplete and inconsistent, which aligns with the difficulty in forming a conclusive judgment. 'Thorough', 'comprehensive', and 'consistent' suggest the opposite.
Despite extensive efforts, the internet coverage in the remote mountain village remained ___ , with frequent drops in signal.
'Patchy' accurately describes the inconsistent and interrupted internet coverage, fitting the context of frequent signal drops. 'Ubiquitous', 'reliable', and 'seamless' imply consistent and good coverage.
His knowledge of ancient history was quite ___ ; he knew a lot about some periods but very little about others.
The description 'knew a lot about some periods but very little about others' perfectly aligns with 'patchy' knowledge, indicating inconsistency and incompleteness. 'Encyclopedic', 'exhaustive', and 'profound' suggest extensive and deep knowledge.
The initial reports on the economic recovery were ___ , offering glimmers of hope but also significant areas of concern.
'Patchy' accurately reflects reports that show both positive and negative aspects, indicating an uneven and inconsistent recovery. 'Unanimous', 'uniform', and 'unwavering' suggest consistency and agreement.
Due to the unpredictable weather, the harvest this year was expected to be ___ , with some fields yielding well and others barely anything.
A 'patchy' harvest means it's inconsistent across different areas, which is consistent with some fields yielding well and others poorly. 'Abundant' and 'plentiful' mean a large, good harvest, while 'consistent' means uniform.
The quality of service at the newly opened restaurant has been rather ___ ; some customers rave about it, while others complain bitterly.
A 'patchy' quality of service suggests inconsistency, with both positive and negative experiences, which matches the varying customer feedback. 'Impeccable', 'consistent', and 'exemplary' all imply consistently high quality.
Describe a situation where you experienced 'patchy' service or quality, and explain the impact it had.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
During my last flight, the in-flight Wi-Fi was incredibly patchy. It would connect for a few minutes, then drop out completely for extended periods. This intermittent service made it impossible to get any work done, which was frustrating as I had planned to use the flight time productively. The unreliable connection ultimately led to me missing a deadline, causing significant inconvenience.
Imagine you are a meteorologist reporting on the weather. Use the word 'patchy' to describe the cloud cover or rainfall in your report. Elaborate on what this means for different regions.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Good morning, everyone. Our latest satellite imagery indicates a rather patchy cloud cover across the eastern seaboard today. This means that while some areas, particularly along the coast, will enjoy prolonged periods of sunshine, inland regions can expect sporadic bursts of cloudiness, potentially leading to isolated showers. Farmers in the north might welcome these localized downpours, but those in the south will likely experience continued dry conditions.
Discuss how 'patchy' evidence can affect the conclusion of a scientific study or a historical investigation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Patchy evidence can significantly weaken the validity of a scientific study or historical investigation. When the data or sources are incomplete or inconsistent, researchers are often forced to draw inconclusive or tentative conclusions. This leads to gaps in understanding, requiring a greater reliance on speculation rather than concrete findings. Consequently, the overall reliability and generalizability of the study's results can be severely compromised, making it difficult to establish definitive causal relationships or historical narratives.
What is the main problem described regarding the reforestation?
Read this passage:
Despite extensive reforestation efforts, the regrowth in the clear-cut area remains stubbornly patchy. Some sections show vigorous new saplings, while others are still barren, exposing the soil to erosion. This uneven distribution makes it challenging to declare the area fully recovered.
What is the main problem described regarding the reforestation?
The passage states that the regrowth is 'stubbornly patchy,' meaning it's not even or continuous, which is the main problem.
The passage states that the regrowth is 'stubbornly patchy,' meaning it's not even or continuous, which is the main problem.
What challenge did the art restorer face due to the 'patchy' varnish?
Read this passage:
The art restorer noted the patchy application of the varnish on the antique painting. In some areas, it was thick and glossy, obscuring the original brushstrokes, while in others, it had flaked away entirely, leaving dull, exposed patches. This uneven coating presented a significant challenge for a uniform restoration.
What challenge did the art restorer face due to the 'patchy' varnish?
The passage mentions 'uneven coating presented a significant challenge for a uniform restoration,' directly linking the patchy varnish to the difficulty of achieving consistency.
The passage mentions 'uneven coating presented a significant challenge for a uniform restoration,' directly linking the patchy varnish to the difficulty of achieving consistency.
What problem did users experience with the new cellular network?
Read this passage:
The new cellular network promised seamless coverage across the entire city. However, initial user reports highlighted a patchy signal in several residential districts, leading to dropped calls and slow internet speeds. The company acknowledged these issues, attributing them to unexpected structural interference in certain zones.
What problem did users experience with the new cellular network?
The passage states 'initial user reports highlighted a patchy signal in several residential districts, leading to dropped calls and slow internet speeds,' indicating an unreliable signal in certain areas.
The passage states 'initial user reports highlighted a patchy signal in several residential districts, leading to dropped calls and slow internet speeds,' indicating an unreliable signal in certain areas.
The evidence presented was rather ___, with significant gaps in the narrative that undermined its overall credibility.
The word 'patchy' best fits the context of 'significant gaps' and 'undermined credibility,' implying inconsistency and incompleteness in the evidence.
Despite rigorous conservation efforts, the reforestation project yielded only ___ results, with some areas thriving while others remained barren.
'Patchy' accurately describes results that are inconsistent, with successes in some areas and failures in others, rather than uniformly sparse or consistent.
The antique tapestry, though exquisitely crafted, showed signs of ___ wear, with certain sections displaying fraying while others remained remarkably intact.
'Patchy' is the most suitable descriptor for wear that is uneven and inconsistent across different parts of the tapestry, indicating isolated areas of damage.
The nascent theatrical production faced numerous challenges, including ___ rehearsals that hindered the actors' ability to fully synchronize their performances.
'Patchy' effectively conveys the idea of inconsistent or incomplete rehearsals, which would naturally impede synchronization. The other options suggest thoroughness or consistency.
The remote region's internet connectivity is notoriously ___, making it difficult for residents to rely on stable access for work or education.
'Patchy' accurately describes internet connectivity that is inconsistent, with periods of good service interspersed with periods of poor or no service, making it unreliable.
Despite the historian's extensive research, the account of the ancient civilization remained ___, due to the scarcity of archaeological findings in certain periods.
'Patchy' correctly indicates that the account is incomplete and uneven, with gaps in understanding caused by limited archaeological evidence. The other options imply completeness.
The evidence presented in court was rather ______, failing to establish a coherent narrative.
'Patchy' accurately describes evidence that is incomplete or inconsistent, lacking a continuous and strong argument.
Despite extensive efforts, the government's response to the crisis remained ______, leading to widespread criticism.
'Patchy' signifies an inconsistent or incomplete response, which aligns with the idea of widespread criticism.
The artist's early works show a rather ______ understanding of perspective, though his later pieces are masterful.
'Patchy' here indicates an uneven or inconsistent understanding, with some parts being good and others not, fitting the context of early works before mastery.
If a weather forecast predicts 'patchy fog', it means the fog will be uniformly distributed across the entire region.
'Patchy fog' implies that the fog will appear in isolated areas, not uniformly across the entire region.
A 'patchy' internet connection is one that is consistently stable and reliable.
A 'patchy' internet connection is inconsistent and unreliable, frequently losing signal or experiencing intermittent service.
Describing someone's memory as 'patchy' suggests they recall everything with perfect clarity.
A 'patchy' memory means that some details are remembered well, while others are forgotten or recalled vaguely, indicating inconsistency, not perfect clarity.
Focus on the word 'patchy' and its implications for the policy's success.
Consider how 'patchy' describes the consistency and quality of the artist's early creations.
Pay attention to how 'patchy' characterizes the uneven nature of the economic recovery.
Read this aloud:
Can you elaborate on how 'patchy' leadership might impact the overall morale and productivity of a global team?
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Read this aloud:
Describe a scenario where a 'patchy' internet connection could have serious repercussions for critical infrastructure.
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Read this aloud:
How would you address 'patchy' compliance with international environmental regulations among multinational corporations?
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/ 84 correct
Perfect score!
Visualize 'patchy' patterns
Imagine a cloudy sky with some blue patches, or a lawn with dry, bare spots. This visual will help you remember the meaning of 'patchy'.
Connect to synonyms
Think of words like 'uneven', 'irregular', or 'spotty'. These can help reinforce the meaning of 'patchy'.
Practice with example sentences
Create sentences using 'patchy', such as 'The internet connection was patchy' or 'Her memory of the event was patchy'. This helps with contextual understanding.
Use flashcards with images
On one side, write 'patchy'. On the other, put the definition and a small image of something patchy, like a road with potholes.
