What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
intermittent
Example
The rain was intermittent throughout the day. [intermittent: adjective]
Example
She experienced intermittent pain in her knee. [intermittent: adjective]
sporadic
Example
The company has been experiencing sporadic sales this quarter. [sporadic: adjective]
Example
He made sporadic attempts to learn a new language. [sporadic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sporadic is more commonly used in everyday language than intermittent. Intermittent is often used in medical or technical contexts, while sporadic is used more broadly to describe irregularity or inconsistency.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between intermittent and sporadic?
Intermittent is generally considered more formal than sporadic. It is often used in technical or medical writing, while sporadic is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
