not on a regular basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not on a regular basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not occur frequently or consistently. Example: "I exercise not on a regular basis, but I try to stay active when I can."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

'Occasional smokers' consumed >100 cigarettes but not on a regular basis (i.e. at least one cigarette per day for at least 6 months).

British Journal of Cancer

"Not on a regular basis".

The New Yorker

"At least not on a regular basis.

The New York Times

It was done as needed, not on a regular basis.

The New York Times

The Giants have run a few plays that way, but not on a regular basis.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, the vast majority of professional money managers can't beat the market either, at least not on a regular basis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He doesn't, on a regular basis, have to answer to the press or to the broader public".

The New York Times

"It's not something that isn't happening on a regular basis, it's just not happening in our community enough".

Huffington Post

The pail closet was not without its own problems; if the pail was not emptied on a regular basis, it overflowed and became unhygienic.

Wikipedia

If your antivirus is not running in the background and if your system is not checked on a regular basis, you'd better uninstall your antivirus software.

WikiHow

In some companies, particularly the large ones, it is actually frowned upon if you are not publishing on a regular basis.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. For formal writing, opt for synonyms like "irregularly" or "infrequently" for increased precision and sophistication.

Common error

Avoid stacking negative constructions. Instead of saying "It's not unusual to not see him", rephrase it as "It's common to see him" for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not on a regular basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency, or rather the lack thereof, with which an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not on a regular basis" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something occurs infrequently or inconsistently. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase. While suitable for general communication, more formal synonyms might be preferred in academic or professional writing. It appears commonly across science, news, and wiki sources, underlining its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the expected frequency to avoid any ambiguity and to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irregularly

Emphasizes the lack of a fixed pattern or schedule.

sporadically

Highlights that occurrences are scattered and infrequent.

occasionally

Suggests that something happens from time to time, but not often.

infrequently

Directly states that something does not happen often.

not routinely

Focuses on the absence of a standard procedure or habit.

from time to time

Indicates that events occur periodically, but without a set schedule.

now and then

Suggests intermittent occurrences, without predictability.

not consistently

Stresses the lack of uniformity or dependability in occurrences.

at intervals

Implies that events are spaced out and not continuous.

on occasion

Similar to occasionally, but perhaps implying even less frequency.

FAQs

What does "not on a regular basis" mean?

It means something doesn't happen frequently or consistently. It implies irregularity or infrequency.

How can I use "not on a regular basis" in a sentence?

Example: "I visit my family not on a regular basis, but I try to see them a few times a year."

What are some alternatives to "not on a regular basis"?

You can use alternatives such as "occasionally", "sporadically", or "infrequently".

Is it better to use "not on a regular basis" or "irregularly"?

Both are correct, but "irregularly" might be more concise and suitable for formal writing.