What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
erratically
Example
The car was moving erratically on the road, swerving from one lane to another. [erratically: adverb]
Example
His work schedule was so erratic that he could never establish a routine. [erratic: adjective]
irregularly
Example
She attends classes irregularly, sometimes skipping weeks at a time. [irregularly: adverb]
Example
The stones were arranged irregularly, creating a unique and asymmetrical pattern. [irregular: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irregularly is more commonly used than erratically in everyday language. Irregularly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while erratically is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between erratically and irregularly?
Both erratically and irregularly are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.