What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
periodic
Example
The company conducts periodic performance reviews every six months. [periodic: adjective]
Example
The patient experiences periodic bouts of pain in their joints. [periodic: adjective]
sporadic
Example
The team's success has been hindered by sporadic attendance and participation. [sporadic: adjective]
Example
The region experiences sporadic rainfall throughout the year. [sporadic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Periodic is more commonly used than sporadic in everyday language. Periodic is often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe recurring patterns or cycles, while sporadic is used more often to describe events or phenomena that occur infrequently or unpredictably.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between periodic and sporadic?
Periodic is generally considered a more formal word than sporadic. It is often used in academic or technical writing to describe recurring patterns or cycles, while sporadic is more commonly used in informal speech or writing to describe events or occurrences that happen irregularly or infrequently.
