a sporadic form of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sporadic form of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs irregularly or infrequently in a particular context. Example: "The disease manifests as a sporadic form of symptoms that can vary greatly from one patient to another."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The best guess is that a sporadic form of the disease probably occurred in the 1970s through some type of freak genetic dysfunction.

The Guardian

He and his colleagues, by virtue of seeing so many cases in a short period, have identified six types of sporadic C.J.D., including a sporadic form of the disease that strikes young people.

The New York Times - Science

The remaining seven patients had a sporadic form of PD and LRRK2 mutation was excluded by direct DNA sequencing.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

The authors speculated that their findings may reflect either an infection with another type of infectious agent distinct from BSE, e.g., scrapie, or a sporadic form of SE in cattle.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

This condition may be primary in origin, very often hereditary and leading to familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), or secondary to chronic inflammatory diseases and causing a sporadic form of the disease, senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA) [ 3, 4].

BioMed Research International

On the other hand, the difficulty of establishing a link between BSE and CJD may be compounded by our ignorance of the infectious parameters of a sporadic form of BSE (e.g., host range, tissue distribution of infectivity, route of transmission, minimum infectious dose for humans, whether single or multiple).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We practiced a loose, sporadic form of class warfare that sanctioned every kind of thievery.

The New Yorker

Such findings might help to explain the origin of the classical BSE epizootic disease, which could have originated from a putatively sporadic form of BSE.

Plosone

Study design: 45 women with idiopathic premature ovarian failure (POF), five with a familial and 40 with a sporadic form, were screened for the presence of FRAXA premutation.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

The origins of atypical BSEs remain obscure; unlike classical BSE, atypical BSE has been detected mainly in aged cattle and suggested a as possible sporadic form of BSE (3 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

This article is designed to summarize conscientious work with the wobbler mouse, a model for the sporadic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sporadic form of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the 'form' refers to. Specificity improves clarity, especially in scientific or technical writing.

Common error

Avoid attributing "a sporadic form of" a condition to a singular, identifiable cause. By definition, sporadic occurrences often lack a clear, consistent etiology. Focus on describing the phenomenon rather than over-speculating on its origins.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sporadic form of" primarily functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate that something occurs irregularly or infrequently. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly frames an intermittent manifestation within a broader category.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sporadic form of" is a descriptor used to indicate that something occurs irregularly and infrequently, distinguishing it from more predictable or widespread occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, indicating a formal register. While there may be a number of semantically similar phrases, each carries a slightly different emphasis. When using "a sporadic form of", be sure that the context clearly indicates what is being modified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an infrequent type of

Replaces "sporadic" with "infrequent", focusing on the low occurrence rate. This subtly shifts the emphasis to the rarity of the form.

an intermittent variety of

Substitutes "sporadic" with "intermittent", highlighting the on-and-off nature of the form. The term "variety" offers a slightly broader scope than "form".

an occasional instance of

Uses "occasional instance" instead of "sporadic form", emphasizing the individual occurrences. This changes the perspective to highlight specific events.

a random manifestation of

Replaces "sporadic" with "random", stressing the unpredictable nature of the form's appearance, thus emphasizing the unpredictability.

a rare expression of

Emphasizes the rarity of the occurrence, shifting the focus from the pattern of appearance to the uncommon nature of its manifestation.

an isolated case of

Highlights the singularity and disconnectedness of the occurrence, focusing on its lack of connection to other instances.

an uncommon version of

Uses "uncommon" to convey the infrequency and "version" to suggest a specific adaptation or presentation of the subject, thus emphasizing its rarity and specificity.

a scattered incidence of

Replaces "sporadic" with "scattered", indicating a dispersed and infrequent occurrence, while "incidence" reframes the "form" as a rate of occurrence.

a periodic outbreak of

Highlights the recurrent but irregular nature of occurrences, emphasizing the temporary and explosive quality of its manifestation.

a singular occurrence of

Emphasizes the uniqueness and rarity, portraying the event as a one-off, thus highlighting its distinctiveness.

FAQs

How can "a sporadic form of" a disease be described?

Describing "a sporadic form of" a disease involves focusing on the irregular and infrequent nature of its occurrence, often without a clear pattern or identifiable cause. It contrasts with familial or epidemic forms that have more predictable transmission or genetic links.

What distinguishes "a sporadic form of" a disease from other forms?

The key difference lies in the pattern of occurrence. "Familial forms" are inherited, while "epidemic forms" spread rapidly through a population. "A sporadic form of" arises randomly and infrequently, often without a known cause.

Is "a sporadic form of" disease hereditary?

Generally, no. "A sporadic form of" a disease typically arises from new mutations, environmental factors, or unknown causes, rather than being passed down through families. In contrast to the sporadic form, "genetic diseases" are.

What are some alternatives to "a sporadic form of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an infrequent type of", "an intermittent variety of", or "an occasional instance of" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.