periodic

USAGE SUMMARY

'periodic' is an correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that happens at regular intervals. For example, "The scientist performed periodic tests to check the accuracy of the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over longer periods, stocks and shares tend to deliver a superior return to cash, despite periodic bouts of volatility, so if you have a long-term goal in mind, it may be worth taking the gamble.

The Guardian - Money

This book, in combination with Sheldon's shower curtain in The Big Bang Theory, taught my son everything he knows about the elements of the periodic table.

The Guardian

But we now know that that model produced both a universal dependence on investment banking and periodic crises.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have continued to build exposure to several core holdings, focusing particularly on those that have displayed periodic share price weakness.

The Guardian - Money

The restrictions on imports, combined with the high rate of inflation in Argentina's economy, South America's second-largest, have led in recent years to periodic shortages of pharmaceutical products including latex gloves and needles.

The Guardian - Money

Anyway, what is true is that Google, YouTube's owner, has undergone one of its periodic cleansing exercises where it checks viewer counts against its terms of service.

The Guardian - Tech

Both systems run periodic research assessment exercises, like modern Domesday books, that have stepped up competition and internal mobility.

The Guardian

My husband was first horrified, and is now patiently accepting of my periodic allegation that there are just too many instruments in the music he lives for.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Not the subtle interplay of periodic symmetries typical of the classical era, nor the curvaceous, subjective flexibility in the flow of time that romanticism relished.

The Guardian - Music

The only oversight for monitoring whether there is abuse comes from the executive branch itself: from the DOJ and Director of National Intelligence, which conduct "periodic reviews … to evaluate the implementation of the procedure".

The Guardian - Opinion

While not spelling out how it had to operate, the court suggested that every life sentence should be reviewed no later than 25 years after it was passed, "with further periodic reviews thereafter".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "periodic", ensure the context clarifies the timeframe or interval involved. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "periodic" when the occurrences are truly random or unpredictable. "Periodic" implies some level of regularity or pattern, unlike occurrences that are entirely haphazard.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "periodic" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating that something occurs at regular or somewhat consistent intervals. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showcasing its use in contexts ranging from news to scientific articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "periodic" is used to describe something that occurs or repeats at regular intervals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and very common, especially in news and media contexts. When using "periodic", clarity about the timeframe or interval is important, and you must not confuse it with occurrences that are truly random or unpredictable. Semantically related alternatives include "recurring", "cyclical", and "intermittent", each offering a slightly different nuance. Remember to differentiate "periodic" from "periodical", the latter referring to a regularly published magazine or journal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recurring

Emphasizes the repeated nature of the occurrence.

intermittent

Highlights the stopping and starting nature of the occurrence.

cyclical

Focuses on occurrences that follow a predictable cycle.

regular

Indicates a consistent and even pattern of occurrence.

occasional

Suggests occurrences that are infrequent or not precisely timed.

intermittently

Highlights the stopping and starting manner of something, acting as an adverb.

at intervals

Specifies that something happens with space or time between occurrences.

repeated

Stresses the fact that something happens more than once.

seasonal

Implies occurrence related to specific seasons of the year.

episodic

Suggests occurrences that come in separate, distinct instances.

FAQs

How to use "periodic" in a sentence?

Use "periodic" to describe events or processes that occur at regular intervals, such as "The company conducts "periodic reviews" of its safety procedures".

What can I say instead of "periodic"?

You can use alternatives like "recurring", "cyclical", or "intermittent" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "periodic" or "periodical"?

"Periodic" describes something that occurs at intervals, while "periodical" refers to a publication issued at regular intervals, such as a magazine. Therefore, choose the word that matches the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "periodic" and "regular"?

"Regular" suggests a consistent and even pattern, whereas "periodic" emphasizes that the events happen at determined intervals but those intervals may not necessarily be perfectly consistent. For example, "periodic reviews" could occur every 3-6 months while regular meetings happen every week.