What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sporadic
Example
The company experienced sporadic sales throughout the year. [sporadic: adjective]
Example
She made sporadic attempts to learn a new language. [sporadic: adjective]
episodic
Example
The TV show has an episodic format, with each episode telling a self-contained story. [episodic: adjective]
Example
Her memory of the event was episodic, with certain moments standing out more than others. [episodic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sporadic is more common than episodic in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and is more versatile. Episodic is more commonly used in specific contexts, such as TV shows or storytelling.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sporadic and episodic?
Both sporadic and episodic are relatively neutral in terms of formality, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
