regular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regular" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is normal, customary, or occurring at fixed intervals. Example: "She attends her yoga class on a regular basis to maintain her fitness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two were given a gel containing PRO 2000 (in different concentrations for each group), along with advice about how to use it, a regular supply of condoms and counselling on safe sexual practice and sexual health.

The Economist

Political funds are already subject to approval being given in regular ballots by unions.

The Guardian

Therefore European rules and regulations need to be subject to regular reviews just as national rules and regulations [do].

The Guardian

Join the Guardian Public Leaders Network free to receive regular emails on the issues at the top of the professional agenda.

The Guardian

A November report by a British thinktank noted a rise in close military encounters between Russia and the west this year, including "violations of national airspace, emergency scrambles, narrowly avoided mid-air collisions, close encounters at sea, simulated attack runs and other dangerous actions happening on a regular basis over a very wide geographical area".

The Guardian

The head of an alleged New South Wales Liberal party slush fund receiving regular payments from Australian Water Holdings (AWH) was involved in drafting letters, press releases and parliamentary questions on behalf of senior Liberals aimed at boosting the water company's interests.

The Guardian

There have been regular incidents involving Serbian clubs in European competition and in December 2012 England's under-21 match ended in chaos with players being attacked on the pitch amid accusations of racism.

The Guardian - Sport

The support I have gained takes many forms: regular meetings, great communication, senior staff being present, a lack of assumptions about what I will do, and workload expectations that are in line with my career position.

The Guardian

Aides stressed that Clegg's comments to Schmidt, made during a regular meeting of the PM's business advisory group, should not be seen as a dressing down.

The Guardian - Business

One says: "My mother had cancer, she had several operations and received regular chemotherapy treatments.

The Guardian

Apfel stars, along with Anna Wintour, as a New York grande dame in the documentary Bill Cunningham New York, having been a regular in Cunningham's photos for several decades, and is set to be the subject of her own documentary by Grey Gardens film-maker Albert Maysles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "regular", be specific about the context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "He's a regular", specify "He's a regular customer" or "He has regular bowel movements".

Common error

Avoid using "regular" as a catch-all term when more precise adjectives are available. Instead of "a regular thing", consider specifying if it's a "routine task", a "consistent habit", or a "standard procedure" to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "regular" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate consistency, frequency, or conformity to a standard. Ludwig shows examples like "regular visits" and "regular payments". It can also act as a noun, referring to a frequent customer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "regular" functions primarily as an adjective to denote consistency, frequency, or conformity to a standard, and less often as a noun referring to a frequent patron. Ludwig AI confirms the term's grammatical correctness and common usage. It is widely used in various contexts like News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, indicating its neutrality and broad applicability. When using "regular", ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity, and consider more precise alternatives when appropriate. The word appears frequently in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistent

Emphasizes the uniformity and predictability of something, focusing on its unchanging nature.

routine

Highlights the habitual and expected nature of something, often associated with a set pattern.

standard

Refers to something that conforms to a typical or accepted level or quality.

usual

Denotes something that is commonly encountered or experienced.

frequent

Indicates that something occurs often or at short intervals.

periodic

Suggests that something occurs at regular intervals, often with a cyclical nature.

customary

Refers to something that is traditional or commonly practiced in a particular setting.

habitual

Describes an action or behavior that is done out of habit.

typical

Represents the characteristics most often associated with a specific category or group.

established

Indicates something that has been recognized or accepted for a long time.

FAQs

How can I use "regular" in a sentence?

You can use "regular" to describe something that occurs at fixed intervals, is normal or ordinary, or is a frequent visitor. For example, "She attends her yoga class on a "regular basis"" or "He's a "regular customer" at the coffee shop".

What are some alternatives to the word "regular"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "consistent", "routine", "standard", or "frequent".

Is it correct to say "on a regular basis"?

Yes, "on a "regular basis"" is a common and grammatically correct phrase that means something happens frequently or at fixed intervals.

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

"Regular" usually implies consistency or frequency, while "typical" refers to something that is representative or characteristic of a particular type or group. For example, a "regular meeting" happens at set intervals, while a "typical meeting" exhibits common characteristics of meetings.