all too regular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all too regular" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs frequently or is common, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The delays in the train schedule have become all too regular, causing frustration among commuters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

What is certain is that the laborious process of stepping off planes has become an all too regular feature of Gerrard's life recently.

Independent

Today, the all too regular TV images of plumes of black smoke soaring from burning, bombed-out buildings obscure its stubborn endurance as not only the biggest but the most metropolitan of Palestinian cities.

The Guardian

The danger posed to cyclists by lorries on busy streets is a widely acknowledged and easy to mitigate problem that continues to kill on an all too regular basis.

The Guardian

Sad to say, data breach disclosures are an all too regular occurrence these days.

TechCrunch

The teenagers have used the demonstrations and their Twitter accounts to demand government action on gun control to address what has become an all too regular part of life as an American student.

Huffington Post

'Wizard of Oz 2010'!" A customer — by the looks of him, all too regular — ambled by, slightly bleary-eyed: "I don't even remember this movie.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And that's not to mention the hurricanes that blow in on an all-too regular basis.

BBC

It is, I'm sad to say, an all-too-regular-sounding MLB postseason theme song.

The Guardian - Opinion

It many ways, bizarrely, it's one of its charms as we all enjoy a collective moan at the all-too-regular defenestrations of common sense.

The Guardian - Sport

It may not satisfy those who want to see disgraced business leaders led off in chains, but it would clear up exactly what happened and help prevent these all-too-regular industrial tragedies from happening again.

The Guardian - Business

Children's apps and in-app purchases is a very sensitive topic, thanks to the all-too-regular examples in recent years of kids blowing their parents' credit cards on virtual items in mobile games.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all too regular" to emphasize that an event's frequency is undesirable or problematic. It's most effective when you want to highlight a negative trend or pattern.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "all too regular" can sound informal or colloquial in highly formal writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "frequent" or "common" in academic papers or official reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all too regular" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to express the degree to which something occurs. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all too regular" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that something occurs more frequently than desired, often with negative implications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While suitable for neutral contexts like news articles, it may sound informal in highly formal writing, where alternatives like "frequent" or "common" might be preferred. The phrase conveys a sense of unease or disappointment regarding the frequency, making it most effective when highlighting undesirable trends or patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively frequent

Emphasizes the high frequency, highlighting that something occurs more often than desired.

undesirably common

Focuses on the unwanted nature of the frequency, indicating displeasure or concern.

disturbingly recurrent

Highlights the troubling aspect of the repeated occurrence, suggesting unease or anxiety.

regrettably frequent

Expresses sorrow or disappointment regarding the high frequency of something.

unpleasantly commonplace

Emphasizes the unwelcome and ordinary nature of the frequent occurrence.

overly repetitive

Highlights the redundant nature of the occurrences.

habitually frequent

Focuses on the habitual and established nature of the frequency.

chronically recurrent

Implies a long-term and persistent pattern of recurrence.

unacceptably common

Conveys a sense of something common that should not be.

too commonplace

Shares a similar meaning, but omits "all", which intensifies the emotion or judgment

FAQs

How can I use "all too regular" in a sentence?

You can use "all too regular" to express that something happens more often than desired. For example, "Data breaches are becoming "all too regular" these days."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "all too regular"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "excessively frequent", "undesirably common", or "regrettably frequent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "all too regular" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "all too regular" may be perceived as informal in some formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "frequent" or "common" for a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "too regular" and "all too regular"?

The addition of "all" intensifies the expression, emphasizing a stronger sense of dissatisfaction or concern about the frequency. "Too regular" simply indicates that something happens often, while "all too regular" implies it's happening more than it should.