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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
sporadic access
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
18 human-written examples
I will have sporadic access to my cell phone.
News & Media
The people in the villages surrounding the park had negligible incomes and sporadic access to sources of protein.
News & Media
The Syrian government allows only sporadic access by foreign news media or other observers, so independent confirmation is not possible.
News & Media
What is more, about 300 million people in India have no access to power at all, and 300 million more have only sporadic access.
News & Media
New arrivals in Dharamsala describe a pervasive Chinese security presence, severe restrictions on movement, night raids to round up activists and only sporadic access to telephone and internet links.
News & Media
But interest rates are sky-high.The World Food Programme, which has sporadic access to some of the worst areas, estimates that the vast majority of people have to spend over 75% of their income on food.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
41 human-written examples
I've tried this week, as sporadic Internet access allowed, to foster some productive discourse amid a media environment that seems dead-set on creating polarization.
News & Media
To address concerns about network connectivity, the system was modified so that it could operate with only sporadic Internet access.
Over 200,000 have been reached with some form of assistance; however, in areas where fighting has been heavy, humanitarian assistance is sporadic as access is limited.
Formal & Business
Participants had to be on-line in order to complete the CITI modules and there had been general concern among the study authors at the outset that limited or sporadic Internet access would discourage participants from completing this task.
Science
The whole controversy was further poisoned by sporadic problems of access to the instrument itself.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing access, consider the cause and impact. For example, specify whether the "sporadic access" is due to technical issues, geographical limitations, or policy restrictions. This adds clarity and context to your writing.
Common error
Avoid using "sporadic" interchangeably with "random" when describing access. "Sporadic" implies infrequency and irregularity, whereas "random" suggests a lack of pattern or predictability. If access is unpredictable, use "random access"; if it's infrequent and irregular, "sporadic access" is more appropriate.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "sporadic access" functions as a noun phrase, where "sporadic" modifies "access". Ludwig provides examples where it describes the inconsistent availability of resources, services, or information.
Frequent in
News & Media
54%
Science
29%
Formal & Business
17%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "sporadic access" describes something available intermittently or irregularly. Grammatically sound and commonly used, it finds frequent application across news, scientific, and formal business contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the unreliable nature of availability, often explaining resulting limitations or challenges. When employing this phrase, ensure that "sporadic" correctly reflects the infrequency and irregularity, distinguishing it from randomness or mere limitation. Common alternatives include "intermittent access" or "irregular access".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
intermittent access
Replaces 'sporadic' with 'intermittent', emphasizing the on-again, off-again nature of the access.
irregular access
Substitutes 'sporadic' with 'irregular', highlighting the lack of a fixed pattern.
occasional access
Uses 'occasional' instead of 'sporadic', focusing on the infrequency of access.
limited access
Replaces 'sporadic' with 'limited', suggesting a restriction on the amount or frequency of access.
patchy access
Substitutes 'sporadic' with 'patchy', indicating uneven or inconsistent access.
unreliable access
Uses 'unreliable' instead of 'sporadic', emphasizing the lack of dependability.
infrequent access
Replaces 'sporadic' with 'infrequent', highlighting the rare occurrence of access.
periodic access
Suggests access occurs in distinct periods, differing slightly from the randomness implied by 'sporadic'.
variable access
Highlights the changing nature of the access, rather than its infrequency.
uneven access
Focuses on the disparity or inconsistency in access opportunities.
FAQs
How can I use "sporadic access" in a sentence?
You can use "sporadic access" to describe situations where something is not consistently available, such as "Due to the remote location, residents have "sporadic access" to internet services".
What are some alternatives to "sporadic access"?
Alternatives include "intermittent access", "irregular access", or "occasional access". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is "sporadic access" grammatically correct?
Yes, "sporadic access" is grammatically correct. "Sporadic" is an adjective modifying the noun "access", indicating that the access is not consistent or regular.
What's the difference between "sporadic access" and "limited access"?
"Sporadic access" refers to the irregular and infrequent availability of something, while "limited access" suggests that the amount or scope of access is restricted, regardless of how frequently it occurs.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested