What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
episodic
Example
The TV show is an episodic drama, with each episode telling a different story. [episodic: adjective]
Example
Her migraines are episodic, occurring every few months. [episodic: adjective]
sporadic
Example
The company has been experiencing sporadic power outages for the past few weeks. [sporadic: adjective]
Example
She has been having sporadic contact with her old friends since moving away. [sporadic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sporadic is more commonly used than episodic in everyday language. Sporadic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while episodic is less common and often used in specific contexts such as storytelling or medical conditions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between episodic and sporadic?
Both episodic and sporadic are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
