irregularly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irregularly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs in an unpredictable or non-standard manner, often referring to frequency or pattern. Example: "The train arrives irregularly, making it difficult for passengers to plan their journeys."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It sounds like a spoof: "The towels are rarely cleaned, the lightbulbs are replaced irregularly, the hotel water runs cold earlier than the guest would wish for... even the hotel sign saves energy by only having one letter lit up at night".

The Guardian - Travel

Valets rather rubbed his hands and face with alcohol, and he took therapeutic baths only irregularly.

The Economist

It has enjoyed hefty dividends from the venture (even if Verizon has allowed these only grudgingly and irregularly) and a sale would mean a large tax bill.Now a deal seems to suit both sides.

The Economist

According to figures released by the Italian interior ministry after the latest disaster, 23,556 people have entered Italy irregularly by sea since January 1st.

The Economist

The camel's body, neck and head are made of irregularly shaped baroque pearls.

The Economist

It is apt to come irregularly, at some times and places not at all.

The Economist

The reservists typically take their time off in a two-week block once a year; that is more manageable than the magistrates' 26 irregularly scheduled court sittings.

The Economist

And because leap seconds are needed irregularly their insertion cannot be automated, which means that fallible humans must insert them by hand.Opponents of abolition say such problems are overstated.

The Economist

He left much undone, delegated a great deal, attended parliament irregularly and set up the first pseudo-presidential apparatus of advisers and assistants largely independent of direct parliamentary review.

The Economist

Mrs Penkina's pension, after 35 years of working as a cashier, is $27 a month, delivered irregularly.

The Economist

No legislation regulates the gas industry; penalties and procedures are irregularly enforced.In February the government approved a "gas master plan".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules or patterns, clarify the expected regularity before noting that something occurs "irregularly" to provide a clear point of comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "irregularly" when you mean "rarely" or "never". "Irregularly" implies that something happens at inconsistent intervals, not that it almost never happens at all.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "irregularly" primarily functions to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating that an action or quality occurs in a manner that deviates from a standard or expected pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "irregularly" is a versatile term used to describe actions or events that do not follow a predictable or consistent pattern. Ludwig AI validates its proper use. Its frequency and distribution across varied domains such as news media and encyclopedias underscore its importance in conveying specific nuances about non-uniform occurrences. To avoid misinterpretations, clarify the expected pattern before using "irregularly". While generally neutral in tone, the term sees prominent use in formal writing, contributing to accurate and specific communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistently

Highlights a lack of uniformity or predictability in how something happens.

unpredictably

Focuses on the inability to foresee when or how something will occur.

erratically

Suggests unpredictable and unstable behavior or occurrence.

intermittently

Implies that something stops and starts at irregular intervals.

sporadically

Emphasizes the scattered and infrequent nature of occurrences.

unevenly

Focuses on the lack of uniformity in distribution or frequency.

randomly

Highlights the absence of any predictable pattern.

periodically

Describes occurrences that happen at somewhat regular but not precisely timed intervals.

infrequently

Emphasizes that something does not happen often.

occasionally

Suggests that something happens now and then, but not frequently.

FAQs

How can I use "irregularly" in a sentence?

You can use "irregularly" to describe actions or events that occur without a consistent pattern or schedule. For example, "The bus service runs "irregularly", making it hard to rely on."

What are some alternatives to the word "irregularly"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "irregularly" with alternatives such as "sporadically", "inconsistently", or "erratically".

Is it better to say "irregularly scheduled" or "unscheduled"?

"Irregularly scheduled" implies that there is a schedule, but it's not consistent. "Unscheduled" means there is no schedule at all. Choose the one that best reflects the actual situation.

What's the difference between "irregularly" and "unusually"?

"Irregularly" refers to the timing or pattern of something, suggesting it doesn't follow a typical schedule. "Unusually" refers to something that deviates from the norm in terms of its characteristics or qualities. For example, a meeting can be ""irregularly" scheduled", while a person can be "unusually tall."