sporadic basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sporadic basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs irregularly or infrequently, rather than on a regular schedule. Example: "We hold team meetings on a sporadic basis, depending on project needs and team availability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Those without insurance receive care on a sporadic basis, and the risk of poor health-care outcomes is well established.

Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease

Met Andy Hayman "for a drink about six times a year and spoke to him on the telephone on a sporadic basis".

The Guardian

Students (both male and female) were taught on a sporadic basis until the closing of the school during the American Civil War.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sony has also learned that serving up webisodes on a sporadic basis — as the site Funny or Die does — fails to build a consistent audience.

The New York Times

It was previously sung on a sporadic basis, but fans in the Gradinata Nord decided at the start of this season to make the song into a regular pre-game tradition.

The Guardian - Sport

The IAEA declared it closed in December, saying that the concerted weapons programme halted in 2003, and continued in a more sporadic basis for a few years after that.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Revision has since occurred only on a sporadic, piecemeal basis, except for the sections concerning family law, which have been thoroughly reformulated.

Britannica

If you'd consider bringing me on full time instead of employing me on a sporadic freelance basis, I really think I could help out with some of these issues.

The New Yorker

All of this evidence plus Trailways' use on this occasion shows that Trailways was not utilizing the terminal and restaurant services merely on a sporadic or occasional basis.

Cornell University

This site is one of the more northerly emperor penguin breeding locations; it was first discovered in 1948 [11], after which breeding counts were carried out on a sporadic and opportunistic basis, showing that the breeding population was relatively small, but stable.

Plosone

A typical example is a mission hospital in an LMIC community that receives a number of STEGH from multiple unique visiting partners on a sporadic and intermittent basis.

Globalization and Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules or routines, use "sporadic basis" to emphasize the lack of a fixed pattern. For instance, "Customer service is provided on a "sporadic basis", depending on staff availability."

Common error

Don't use "sporadic basis" if you have specific data about frequency. Instead of saying, "Meetings occurred on a "sporadic basis"", if you know they happened monthly, state "Meetings occurred monthly" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sporadic basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the irregular or infrequent manner in which an action occurs. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it describes something that happens without a set schedule.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sporadic basis" is a commonly used phrase to describe actions or events that occur irregularly or infrequently. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable, making it a solid choice across various contexts, especially science and news reporting. While alternatives like "irregular intervals" or "intermittent frequency" exist, "sporadic basis" effectively conveys the lack of a fixed pattern. To avoid misuse, be mindful of whether a more specific timeframe is available and choose directness for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irregular intervals

Focuses on the time gap between occurrences rather than the foundational aspect.

intermittent frequency

Highlights the inconsistent rate at which something happens.

occasional instances

Emphasizes the infrequency of specific events.

now and then

An idiomatic expression indicating something happens sometimes but not regularly.

from time to time

Similar to "now and then", but slightly more formal.

on occasion

Indicates something happens sometimes, often planned or specific.

every so often

Highlights the infrequency and irregularity of occurrences.

at various times

Focuses on different points in time when something occurs, without regularity.

inconsistently

Adverb emphasizing the lack of consistent pattern.

unpredictably

Highlights the inability to foresee when something will occur.

FAQs

What does "sporadic basis" mean?

The term "sporadic basis" refers to something that occurs irregularly or infrequently, without a consistent or predictable pattern.

How can I use "sporadic basis" in a sentence?

You can use "sporadic basis" to describe activities or events that don't happen regularly. For example, "The system is updated on a "sporadic basis" as needed."

What are some alternatives to "sporadic basis"?

Alternatives to "sporadic basis" include "irregular intervals", "intermittent frequency", or "occasional instances", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "sporadic basis" or "intermittent basis"?

"Sporadic basis" and "intermittent basis" are similar, but "sporadic" emphasizes unpredictability, while "intermittent" suggests that there are breaks between occurrences. Choose the word that best fits the context.