Definitions
- Describing something that occurs at irregular intervals or with breaks in between. - Referring to something that is not continuous or steady. - Talking about something that happens on and off, with periods of activity and inactivity.
- Describing something that happens infrequently or irregularly. - Referring to something that occurs from time to time, but not regularly or predictably. - Talking about something that is not constant or consistent, but happens every now and then.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that does not happen all the time.
- 2Both words suggest a lack of consistency or regularity.
- 3Both words imply that something happens only from time to time.
- 4Both words can be used to describe events or situations.
What is the difference?
- 1Frequency: Intermittent suggests a more irregular pattern than occasional, which implies less frequency.
- 2Duration: Intermittent suggests shorter periods of activity or occurrence, while occasional can refer to longer or more extended periods.
- 3Intensity: Intermittent can suggest a higher level of intensity during the active periods, while occasional does not imply any particular level of intensity.
- 4Cause: Intermittent can suggest a cause for the breaks or interruptions, while occasional does not imply any particular reason for the infrequency.
- 5Usage: Intermittent is more commonly used in medical or technical contexts, while occasional is more versatile and can be used in everyday language.
Remember this!
Intermittent and occasional are synonyms that describe something that does not happen all the time. However, intermittent suggests a more irregular pattern with breaks or interruptions in between, while occasional implies less frequency without any particular pattern. Additionally, intermittent is more commonly used in medical or technical contexts, while occasional is more versatile and can be used in everyday language.
