on an irregular basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"on an irregular basis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens or occurs inconsistently, randomly, or infrequently. For example: "We communicate with our team members on an irregular basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Of 16 regulatory agency respondents, 2 reported inspectors never receive a travel budget; overall, half reported inspectors received one on an irregular basis (less than 40% of the time).

Global health, science and practice

The information about individuals that Bailey gathered for the book from Kieltyka, Juanita, Braverman, and others he obtained haphazardly without any developed plan of research from their occasional presentations to his classes, from their joint social outings, and from one-on-one discussions that occurred on an irregular basis.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

We found that most of the informal providers were one-person ventures, offering a narrow range of services on an irregular basis.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

I do have them on an irregular basis.

The Guardian - Sport

He receives unstarted kits from various sources on an irregular basis.

The New York Times

Although the satellite images are only updated on an irregular basis - meaning that pictures of mobile targets would be unusable - some defence experts have said the easy availability of information can increase the risks for military organisations.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Given the limited demand, he tells me the sourcing process happens on a fairly irregular basis: "We buy it from a breeding center from Zumpango, a small town just north of Mexico City.

Vice

The issue of health care utilization by those with arthritis is of particular importance since recent research done in the United States has suggested that individuals with arthritis who receive appropriate care (such as care from a rheumatologist) experience lower rates of long-term disability than those who receive care on a more irregular basis[ 28].

BMC Women's Health

You can place pastry brushes with natural bristles and wooden handles into the dishwasher on a very irregular basis.

WikiHow

As that happens -- as continents drift apart, as mountain ranges rise and fall, as climate patterns shift -- earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, typhoons, prolonged droughts, and other natural disturbances recur, even if on an irregular and unpredictable basis. .

Huffington Post

These are usually held on an annual or irregular basis, and are usually black tie.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where predictability matters, consider using more precise language to clarify the extent of the irregularity. For instance, instead of just saying "meetings occur on an irregular basis", specify if they happen weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

Common error

Avoid pairing "on an irregular basis" with vague timeframes such as "sometimes" or "often". This creates redundancy and doesn't provide additional clarification. Instead, focus on specifying the cause for irregularity or providing context for its pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on an irregular basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to specify how frequently an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes inconsistent or infrequent events, enhancing the clarity of the statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on an irregular basis" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe actions or events that occur sporadically or inconsistently. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used in English writing. It is prevalent in scientific, news media, and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it is crucial to consider providing context or specifying the cause of irregularity to avoid vagueness. While alternatives like "sporadically" or "intermittently" exist, "on an irregular basis" provides a neutral and easily understandable way to communicate the unpredictable nature of an event. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing irregularity in a clear and effective manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sporadically

Focuses on the scattered and infrequent nature of occurrences.

intermittently

Highlights the stop-and-start nature of events, with pauses in between.

occasionally

Emphasizes that something happens from time to time, but not frequently.

from time to time

A common idiom for events happening now and then.

now and then

Similar to "from time to time", but perhaps suggesting slightly less predictability.

infrequently

Directly states the lack of frequency.

at intervals

Highlights that the phrase is happening at different points in time.

periodically

Suggests a recurrence after certain durations of time, however they may differ.

every so often

Suggests an occurrence at unpredictable moments.

haphazardly

Emphasizes the lack of planning or regularity in the occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "on an irregular basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on an irregular basis" to describe activities or events that do not happen at fixed or predictable intervals. For example, "The consultant visits our office "on an irregular basis" to provide support".

What are some alternatives to "on an irregular basis"?

Similar phrases include "sporadically", "intermittently", or "occasionally". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey regarding frequency and predictability.

Is it better to say "on an irregular basis" or "irregularly"?

"On an irregular basis" is a phrase, while "irregularly" is an adverb. Both are correct, but "on an irregular basis" might be preferred for emphasis or when more context is needed. However, both can be used depending on your personal writing style.

What's the difference between "on an irregular basis" and "on a regular basis"?

"On a regular basis" implies consistent, predictable occurrences, while "on an irregular basis" indicates inconsistent, unpredictable occurrences. The former suggests a set schedule or routine, while the latter implies a lack thereof.