makes sporadic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes sporadic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or occurrences that happen irregularly or infrequently. Example: "The system makes sporadic updates, which can lead to inconsistencies in the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Masataka Shimizu, then Tepco's president, also makes sporadic appearances, barking out orders via teleconference.

The New York Times

Though Mr. Potter's enfeebled, wandering Willie makes sporadic and terse contributions to the conversation, it is Winnie who is responsible for keeping us engaged for roughly an hour and a half of stage time.

The New York Times

The first episode of the Discovery Channel's latest contribution to the genre, a seven-part series called "North America," makes sporadic efforts to deliver that extra something, yet never quite does.

The New York Times - Arts

Bowie, 66, who is based in New York, only makes sporadic public appearances and this new release - which comes before the release of a new album in March - had been kept a complete secret from fans and music journalists.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Other companies have made sporadic progress.

The Guardian

The Wayapí had made sporadic contacts with outsiders before this.

The Guardian

He made sporadic appearances at school, missing months of teaching.

The Times

Rwandan troops have also made sporadic incursions across the border.

The Economist

Other administrations had made sporadic, small-scale attempts to build relationships with the occasional military analyst.

The New York Times

Audiences in the United States remained divided about his company, which made sporadic visits here.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Giuliani has made sporadic efforts, spending heavily on advertising here before pulling back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "makes sporadic", ensure the context clearly indicates that the action or event happens irregularly and is not a constant or predictable occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "makes sporadic" to describe events or actions that occur regularly or predictably. This phrase is specifically for irregular, infrequent occurrences. Use terms like "regularly", "frequently", or "consistently" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes sporadic" functions as a verb phrase describing the irregular or infrequent performance of an action. As shown by Ludwig, it can describe appearances, efforts, or progress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "makes sporadic" is a grammatically sound way to describe actions or events that occur irregularly or infrequently. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies its primary function as conveying inconsistency or unpredictability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register allows for broad application. While not a very common phrase, understanding its proper use ensures clarity and precision in describing non-routine occurrences. Using related terms like "occurs intermittently" or "happens occasionally" can provide stylistic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurs intermittently

This alternative emphasizes the on-and-off nature of the occurrences.

happens occasionally

This alternative suggests that the events are not very frequent.

appears infrequently

This alternative focuses on the rare appearance of something.

arises periodically

This alternative suggests that events happen at certain intervals, but not regularly.

manifests sporadically

This alternative implies irregular and scattered appearances.

is seen seldom

This alternative emphasizes the rarity of seeing something happen.

takes place now and then

This alternative uses a more colloquial tone to indicate occasional occurrences.

develops irregularly

This alternative emphasizes the lack of a fixed pattern in the development of something.

emerges unevenly

This alternative suggests that appearances are not distributed equally over time.

performs erratically

This alternative focuses on inconsistent or unpredictable performance.

FAQs

How can I use "makes sporadic" in a sentence?

You can use "makes sporadic" to describe something that occurs irregularly or infrequently. For example, "The artist "makes sporadic" appearances at local galleries".

What are some alternatives to "makes sporadic"?

Alternatives include "occurs intermittently", "happens occasionally", or "appears infrequently".

Is it correct to say "made sporadic" instead of "makes sporadic"?

Yes, "made sporadic" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct when referring to past events.

What's the difference between "makes sporadic" and "makes regular"?

"Makes sporadic" indicates something happens irregularly, while "makes regular" implies a consistent or habitual action. They have opposite meanings.