erratic hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erratic hours" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to irregular or unpredictable work or sleep schedule. Example: "Due to his job as a doctor, John had to adapt to erratic hours, often working late nights and weekends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I'm frustrated by anemic collections, by erratic hours.

The New York Times

With this promotion came added responsibilities that forced him to work erratic hours.

Cornell University

Work is also not sustainable when jobs provide too few and erratic hours.

The New York Times

His erratic hours kept him from seeing Jason play baseball and football.

The Washington Post

Sergeant Wilson is the mother of four children and the wife of a civilian truck driver who works erratic hours.

The New York Times

Expect long lunch lines and erratic hours — but there are few places in the world where one can earn so many adventurous eating badges in one fell swoop.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

On vacation, you may have kept erratic hours---sleeping too much or too little, going to bed and getting up late.

Science Magazine

In addition to the steady (non-erratic) hours, encounters with inspirational seniors, and enduring relationships this specialty is enjoying increasing demand as baby boomers retire[ 23].

BMC Health Services Research

Research by Associate Professors Julia R. Henly and Susan Lambert shows the high prevalence of jobs especially in retail, hospitality, and food service, where many low-income parents work that are characterized not only by low and variable earnings, but also by erratic work hours and limited employee control over hours of work.

University of Chicago

The public accounts committee (PAC) criticises family doctors for erratic opening hours at the same time as warning that ministers are pressing ahead with out-of-hours appointments while failing to understand the problem.

The Times

Page A8 STRESS FOR DRONE PILOTS Nearly half of the operators of unmanned drone aircraft have high levels of job-related stress, mostly linked to long and erratic work hours because of an huge increase in the use of the aircraft, the Air Force said in a new study.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of "erratic hours", be specific about the consequences, such as difficulty in planning personal life, health issues, or strained relationships.

Common error

Don't use "erratic hours" when you mean "overtime". "Erratic hours" refers to unpredictable schedules, while overtime refers to working beyond the standard hours.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erratic hours" functions as a noun phrase, where "erratic" modifies the noun "hours". It describes the nature of the working or operating times, indicating a lack of regularity and predictability. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a valid and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erratic hours" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe unpredictable or irregular schedules. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous real-world examples. The term frequently appears in news and media, often in discussions about employment conditions and the challenges faced by workers with unstable schedules. While "erratic hours" can be similar to flexible hours, it emphasizes unpredictability rather than choice. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the consequences, and avoid confusing it with concepts like overtime. Alternative phrases such as "irregular work schedule" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irregular work schedule

Focuses on the non-standard nature of the work schedule.

unpredictable working times

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of fixed patterns in work hours.

inconsistent shift patterns

Emphasizes the lack of a regular pattern in shift assignments.

variable work schedules

Focuses on the changing nature of work schedules.

unstable hour arrangements

Describes the work arrangements as not fixed or reliable.

sporadic work times

Highlights the occasional and irregular nature of work times.

fluctuating shift timings

Emphasizes the changing and varying nature of shift timings.

unfixed working hours

Focuses on the lack of a set or permanent arrangement for working hours.

non-standard working times

Highlights that work times deviate from what is typical or expected.

irregular time schedule

Focuses on the non-standard nature of the time schedule.

FAQs

How can "erratic hours" affect a person's life?

"Erratic hours" can disrupt sleep patterns, making ordinary life planning a challenge and potentially straining personal relationships.

What are some jobs that commonly involve "erratic hours"?

Jobs in retail, hospitality, and emergency services often involve "erratic hours".

What is a phrase with a similar meaning to "erratic hours"?

A phrase with a similar meaning is "irregular work schedule", which also describes unpredictable or inconsistent work times.

How do "erratic hours" differ from flexible hours?

"Erratic hours" imply unpredictability and instability, while flexible hours suggest some degree of control and choice over one's work schedule.