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Would it make sense to use the word "consistent" to describe a negative situation?
Usually, I see the word "consistent" being used to describe positive patterns.
A student who earns high grades throughout the year is performing at a "consistent" level.
A sports team that achieves 40 wins and 5 losses has been "consistent" throughout the season.
In these two sentences, I do not directly point out that they are performing consistently well, it is implied that they have done well because of the addition of the word "consistent". Correct?
Would It make sense to use this phrase in a negative manner as well?
For example, if a student were to finish the year with low grades, would it make sense to say that the student's grades were "consistently low"?
Or a sports team that has finished the season with 5 wins and 40 losses, performed "consistently bad"?
Or is that an awkward way to use the word?
4 Answers
- 6 years agoFavourite answer
Yes, it would be very appropriate to use the word in that manner.
- ?Lv 46 years ago
Yes - consistent just means unchanging over a time period. It doesn't matter if the connotation is negative or not.
He consistently bothered me. [negative]
He consistently sent me flowers every Friday. [positive]
- 6 years ago
I myself have used the phrase multiple times and consistent simply means on a regular basis. I don't see any problem.
