at irregular hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at irregular hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe activities or events that occur at unpredictable or non-standard times. Example: "The train service operates at irregular hours, making it difficult for commuters to plan their journeys."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She and Nancy ate peculiar foods at irregular hours, and when she went into the kitchen to fix herself a snack she never came back with cocoa or graham crackers for us.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile the fountain was turned on or off, at irregular hours.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Chiat/Day's employees show up at irregular hours; some of the staff (of 150) work part time at home.

The New York Times - Magazine

Because SEVN is a 24-hour, 7-day facility, needs will dictate that the Practice Manager be able to come in at irregular hours to deal with employee, client, or facility business.

Cornell University

Instead of reviewing albums, we review the reviews". Due to celebrate its third anniversary this week, the "Poker Party" appears regularly (at irregular hours) on Communicom's Channel 37 and Century Cable's (formerly Group W) Channel 3.

Los Angeles Times

The group block-booked time at Abbey Road through to July, and their times at Rishikesh were soon forgotten in the atmosphere of the studio, with sessions occurring at irregular hours.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Working at night, for irregular hours, is inevitable and results in disrupted sleep and a displaced sleep schedule, which might affect mental performance, health and the risk of adverse events.

Emergency Medicine Journal

The work stresses that they face include: inherent dangers of their work sites (dumps, riverbanks, roadsides), their lack of personal protective equipment, the risk of traffic accidents because they often work amidst heavy traffic at intense traffic hours, irregular hours of work including at night, social isolation and discrimination by society, and considerable financial insecurity.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

She is working to keep her family afloat in a job with irregular hours at an upscale food market in a Nashville suburb.

The New York Times

But it is a godsend to those who cannot for some reason leave home, do not have a club nearby, need to play briefly or at an irregular hour, or wish to smoke without inconveniencing others.

The New York Times - Arts

She has a mix of earnings from paid employment and self-employment, takes work at short notice and works irregular hours.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules or services, use "at irregular hours" to clearly communicate that the timing is not fixed or predictable. This helps avoid confusion and sets appropriate expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "at irregular hours" in highly formal or technical contexts where more precise language may be required. Instead, consider alternatives like "variable intervals" or "non-standard operational periods" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at irregular hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurs. It specifies that the action happens at inconsistent or unpredictable times. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at irregular hours" is a grammatically sound and usable adverbial phrase that describes actions or events occurring at unpredictable or non-standard times. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. While not extremely common, it appears in various reputable sources across News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, use this phrase to clearly indicate that a schedule is not fixed, but be mindful of the context and avoid it in highly formal settings where more precise terms might be necessary. Consider alternatives like "at unpredictable times" or "during non-standard hours" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at unpredictable times

Emphasizes the lack of a set schedule; highlights the uncertain nature of the timing.

during non-standard hours

Focuses on the deviation from typical working or operating hours.

sporadically

Implies that something happens occasionally and not at regular intervals.

intermittently

Suggests pauses and starts, with no fixed pattern of occurrence.

on an inconsistent schedule

Highlights the lack of a stable or predictable timetable.

at random times

Indicates that events happen without any discernible pattern.

at odd hours

Emphasizes the unusual or unconventional timing of events.

erratically

Suggests an unpredictable and possibly unstable pattern of occurrence.

asynchronously

Highlights the lack of simultaneous timing or coordination.

off-schedule

Highlights a deviation from the usual schedule.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at irregular hours" to sound more formal?

In formal settings, you can use phrases like "at unpredictable times", "during non-standard hours", or "on a variable schedule" to maintain a professional tone.

What does "at irregular hours" mean?

The phrase "at irregular hours" means that something occurs at times that are not consistent or predictable. It indicates a lack of a fixed schedule.

Is it better to say "at irregular hours" or "at odd hours"?

Both phrases are correct, but "at irregular hours" is generally more neutral and suitable for professional contexts, while "at odd hours" /s/at+odd+hours may imply more unusual or unconventional timings.

How do I use "at irregular hours" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe when something happens: "The bus service operates "at irregular hours", so check the timetable carefully." Or, "Due to the nature of the job, employees may be required to work "at irregular hours"".