erratic routine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erratic routine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a pattern of behavior or schedule that is inconsistent or unpredictable. Example: "Her erratic routine made it difficult for her friends to plan any activities together."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you have ever seen the tiny machinations and impulses a snake wriggles its body into before it strikes, you will understand Amber from Love Island's approach to human relationships: animals, like us, have certain set behaviours, little routines, erratic tics.

Vice

Often, those treatments are paired with behavioral weight reduction -- counseling aimed at gradual weight loss and at establishing or returning a patient's erratic eating patterns to a routine of three meals a day and a couple of modest, planned snacks.

Los Angeles Times

This is a theme in her work; an older project, Routine is making me Erratic, found the LA-based artist creating short videos of herself applying nail polish and make up.

Vice

Showing none of the form that took her to the final in Cincinnati two weeks ago, Jankovic had trouble keeping the ball in the court on even the most routine shots against the normally more erratic Pavlyuchenkova.

The New York Times

Under stress, rigid families may become even more inflexible, authoritarian, and intolerant of deviations, whereas parental leadership in chaotic families can be erratic, with shifting roles, response styles, and family routines.

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

It was just the routine of my life every day, my happiness held hostage by the erratic whims and moods of my dad.

Vice

At the time that the data described in this article were collected, clinics did not have specific services for chronic diseases and the registration and follow up of patients was erratic, with no system for identification and recall of patients who did not attend monthly routine appointments to get medication.

Global Health Action

Supply of routine diagnostics and anti-TB drugs became irregular, leading to stock-outs and the erratic treatment of patients.

Plosone

Healthcare is characterised simultaneously by routine, highly organised and ultra safe practices (e.g. blood product protocols) and unpredictable, erratic hazardous demand.

BMC Health Services Research

erratic -- n.

University of California, Berkeley

Erratic genius?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a routine as "erratic", be specific about the ways in which it is unpredictable. Provide examples of the variations or inconsistencies that make it so.

Common error

Avoid using "erratic routine" as a vague descriptor. Instead of simply stating that a routine is erratic, provide concrete examples of how it deviates from a normal or expected pattern. What makes the schedule so unpredictable?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erratic routine" functions as a descriptive term, combining an adjective ("erratic") with a noun ("routine") to characterize a pattern of activity that lacks predictability or consistency. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, its usage is limited.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "erratic routine" describes a schedule or pattern of activities that lacks consistency and predictability. While grammatically sound, as verified by Ludwig, its frequency is limited, suggesting that other alternatives might be more common. When using "erratic routine", it's best to provide specific examples to illustrate the inconsistencies. Alternative phrases such as "unpredictable schedule" or "irregular schedule" might be more widely recognized. The key is to ensure clarity and specificity when communicating the idea of an unstable or inconsistent pattern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpredictable schedule

This alternative replaces 'erratic' with 'unpredictable', focusing on the lack of ability to foresee the routine.

irregular schedule

This alternative uses 'irregular' instead of 'erratic', highlighting the deviation from a standard or expected pattern.

inconsistent routine

This alternative directly substitutes 'erratic' with 'inconsistent', emphasizing the lack of uniformity.

sporadic routine

This alternative uses 'sporadic', implying that the routine occurs at infrequent and irregular intervals.

variable routine

This alternative replaces 'erratic' with 'variable', highlighting the changing or fluctuating nature of the routine.

unstable routine

This alternative uses 'unstable', suggesting a lack of firmness or predictability in the routine.

capricious routine

This alternative replaces 'erratic' with 'capricious', implying that the routine is subject to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

haphazard routine

This alternative uses 'haphazard', suggesting a lack of organization or planning in the routine.

fickle routine

This alternative replaces 'erratic' with 'fickle', implying that the routine is characterized by frequent changes of mind or sentiment.

wavering routine

This alternative uses 'wavering', suggesting that the routine is unsteady or fluctuating.

FAQs

How can I describe a routine that changes a lot?

You can use phrases like "unpredictable schedule", "irregular schedule", or "inconsistent routine".

What does "erratic" mean?

"Erratic" means unpredictable, irregular, or inconsistent. It suggests a lack of pattern or stability.

Is it better to say "erratic schedule" or "erratic routine"?

Both "erratic schedule" and "erratic routine" are grammatically correct, but "erratic schedule" might be more commonly used. Consider the specific context to determine which term is more appropriate.

How do I use "erratic" in a sentence?

You can use "erratic" to describe anything that lacks a consistent pattern, such as "erratic behavior", "erratic performance", or "erratic weather".