irregularity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irregularity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that deviates from the norm or expected pattern, often in contexts such as mathematics, law, or general observations. Example: "The irregularity in the data set raised concerns about the accuracy of the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Amounts are also highly irregular from one year to another, and irregularity increases southward toward the desert.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The morphology of the Altaic languages is simple, exhibiting little if any irregularity (e.g., Turkish has only one irregular verb, 'to be') or suppletion (as in English went as the past form of go) and no distinct classes of noun or verb stems ("declensions" and "conjugations") that require special sets of endings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This irregularity, too, was rectified in Mr Osborne's autumn statement, Britain's mini budget.

The Economist

Others disagree, and say they are irregular.How much irregularity Dr Rampino's hypothesis can tolerate is unclear.

The Economist

Election observers found no evidence of serious irregularity.

The Economist

Following the departure in April of Bernie Ebbers, WorldCom's founder, an internal audit discovered an "irregularity" in the way the company had been booking capital expenses.

The Economist

It did not: the numbers suggest little fraud.Invigilation was reinforced by an army of reporters from local radio stations who whizzed around the polling stations asking tough questions of officials and voters, broadcasting every irregularity and peculiarity.

The Economist

It said an internal audit discovered an irregularity, which a subsequent investigation found to involve $3.8 billion-worth of costs which had been wrongly classified as capital expenses over a five-quarter period from the start of 2001.

The Economist

("Any risk can be controlled, any irregularity can be eliminated, any accident can be avoided," proclaims a large blue billboard on the perimeter).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The CMB is almost, but not quite, uniform, and the known irregularities in it are thought to mark the seeds from which galaxies and therefore stars and planets grew.Dr Penrose, though, predicts another form of irregularity great circles in the sky where the microwave background is slightly more uniform than it should be.

The Economist

The election of a new mayor for Tower Hamlets, prompted by the ejection of the last incumbent for widespread fraud, is already the subject of 16 separate allegations of electoral irregularities, police have confirmed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a deviation from a statistical norm, use "irregularity" to emphasize the unexpected nature of the data point.

Common error

While "irregularity" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing where terms like "anomaly" or "deviation" might be more precise.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "irregularity" is as a noun. It refers to a specific instance or the general state of something being irregular. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from climate patterns to financial audits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

53%

News & Media

45%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "irregularity" functions as a noun denoting a deviation from what is standard, normal, or expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly found in encyclopedic and news contexts, the word conveys a sense of something not conforming to established patterns. While generally neutral, choosing more precise terms like "anomaly" or "deviation" might be beneficial in formal settings. Understanding its proper usage helps to communicate effectively, accurately describing departures from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anomaly

Focuses on something unusual or unexpected that deviates from a general pattern or norm.

abnormality

Highlights a deviation from what is considered normal or typical, often in a medical or scientific context.

deviation

Emphasizes the act of departing from an established course or standard.

inconsistency

Points to a lack of uniformity or logical coherence within a set of facts or statements.

discrepancy

Indicates a difference or contradiction between two or more things that should be the same.

divergence

Suggests a branching out or moving away from a common point or standard.

nonconformity

Highlights a failure to adhere to accepted standards or practices.

variance

Refers to the degree to which something differs from an expected value or standard.

oddity

Emphasizes the strange or peculiar nature of something.

flaw

Indicates a defect or imperfection that detracts from overall quality or correctness.

FAQs

How to use "irregularity" in a sentence?

You can use "irregularity" to describe something that deviates from a standard or norm. For example: "The audit revealed several financial irregularities."

What can I say instead of "irregularity"?

You can use alternatives like "anomaly", "deviation", or "abnormality" depending on the context.

Is "irregularity" a formal word?

"Irregularity" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but more specific terms might be preferred in highly technical or scientific writing.

What's the difference between "irregularity" and "anomaly"?

"Irregularity" generally refers to a deviation from a norm or standard, while "anomaly" often implies something more unusual or unexpected, potentially indicating a significant issue.