sporadic exchanges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sporadic exchanges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe infrequent or irregular interactions or communications between parties. Example: "The two countries have maintained sporadic exchanges over the years, often driven by specific diplomatic needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Israeli Army did not confirm the shootings, but reported sporadic exchanges of gunfire in both areas.

The New York Times

The government rushed more troops and police to the city, and there were sporadic exchanges of fire.

Independent

Before the agreement, the only substantial contact between Taiwan and the mainland was military, mainly sporadic exchanges of shells over Quemoy.

The New York Times

But apart from sporadic exchanges of fire with the militants, the soldiers are largely confined to their base, leaving residents to fend for themselves.

The New York Times

Tanks were also wheeled into position in Jerusalem and the West Bank, where troops reported sporadic exchanges of gunfire with Palestinian gunmen on the fringes of several major Jewish settlements.

The New York Times

Security sources in the south said that after the announcement, only sporadic exchanges of machine-gun fire were reported in the refugee district, Rashidiye, which is southeast of the southern port of Tyre.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Groucho Marx kept up a sporadic exchange with Woody Allen throughout the 1960s and appears to have delighted in showing off to the comic writer almost a half-century his junior.

The Guardian

He described hearing "a sustained and sporadic" exchange of gunfire after the initial attack, both inside and outside the official compound, which he said resulted in injuries to two Afghan police officers and one civilian.

The Washington Post

The twin blasts were followed by sporadic gunfire exchanges that have continued for several hours.

The Guardian

This type of communication currently depends on sporadic informal exchanges between (governmental) agents.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

In this way, the overall autonomy of a wireless sensor network in which sporadic data exchange occurs, can be increased.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sporadic exchanges" aim to provide context about the nature of the exchanges. What is being exchanged? Who is exchanging it? This provides a clearer picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "sporadic exchanges" to describe events that are infrequent but highly intense when they do occur. "Sporadic" refers to the timing not the scale or intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sporadic exchanges" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms that it's generally used to describe irregular or infrequent interactions. For example, "sporadic exchanges of gunfire" indicates that gunfire incidents are not constant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

30%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sporadic exchanges" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe infrequent or irregular interactions, as confirmed by Ludwig. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and is commonly found in news and scientific contexts. While it is considered uncommon in frequency, it's a useful phrase when accuracy is needed. When using the phrase, ensure that the context of the exchange is well-defined for clarity. Alternatives such as "intermittent interactions" or "occasional altercations" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intermittent interactions

Focuses on the broken nature of the interactions, highlighting gaps in between.

occasional altercations

Emphasizes the occasional nature of the conflicts or disagreements.

irregular communications

Highlights the lack of a consistent pattern in the communications.

infrequent contacts

Emphasizes the rarity of the contacts or meetings.

isolated incidents

Highlights the separate and unconnected nature of the incidents.

scattered encounters

Focuses on the distributed and not concentrated nature of the encounters.

periodic clashes

Emphasizes the recurring but not constant nature of the clashes.

limited engagements

Highlights the constrained and infrequent nature of the engagements.

discontinuous dialogue

Stresses the broken or interrupted nature of the dialogue.

unpredictable interactions

Highlights the lack of predictability in the timing or nature of the interactions.

FAQs

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

You can use "sporadic exchanges" to describe instances where interactions or communications occur irregularly and infrequently. For example, "Despite the ceasefire, there were "sporadic exchanges of fire" along the border".

What's a good alternative to "sporadic exchanges"?

Alternatives to "sporadic exchanges" include "intermittent interactions", "occasional altercations", or "irregular communications", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

What does "sporadic exchanges" mean?

The phrase "sporadic exchanges" refers to interactions or communications that occur at irregular intervals and are not consistently maintained over time.

Is it correct to say "sporadic exchange" instead of "sporadic exchanges"?

While grammatically possible in certain contexts, "sporadic exchange" is less common. "Sporadic exchanges" is typically used when referring to multiple instances of interaction, rather than a single, isolated exchange.