VOA名师答疑2023--Irregular vs. Abnormal

Irregular vs. Abnormal¹

Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about two common synonyms², or words that have similar meanings, "abnormal" and "irregular."

Question:

Hi VOA Learning³ English,

I am Riya from China. I wish to know the difference between the words "abnormal" and "irregular." Is there any other word that has a similar meaning of irregular?

Thanks,

Riya

Answer

Thank you, Riya, for this great question. While "abnormal" and "irregular" are often used in similar situations, there are some notable⁴ differences. Let's consider "abnormal" first.

"Abnormal" is an adjective⁵ meaning not normal, usual, or average. It suggests that something is troublesome or a problem. For example:

His blood tests showed an abnormal level of T cells.

The veterinarian said a viral infection caused the marmot's abnormal behavior.

"Normal" is often used in describing growth or behavior. These are processes that are not the same all of the time, but experience and knowledge form our understanding of what they are. "Abnormal" is often used to describe what is outside our experience of what "normal" is.

Let's move on to "irregular."

As an adjective, "irregular" has several different meanings.

The first describes something that does not happen at regular, predictable times. It can describe an activity that happens for different lengths of time or that happens once in a while.

Amanda's work schedule was very irregular. Sometimes she worked nights; other times she worked during the day.

The second meaning describes appearance that is not even, straight, or smooth. It can also describe something that does not form a regular pattern.

The coast of the state is quite irregular with its rocky hills.

A third meaning has to do with observing regular rules, laws or behavior.

The bank failed because of irregular investment⁶ practices.

In English grammar, there are "irregular" action words, or verbs. In many languages, verbs have different endings to agree with number or tense.

For example, the verb "eat" is an irregular verb. The past tense is not "eated," it is "ate." The past participle is "eaten."

Other words can also have "irregular" differences from the usual patterns of grammar.

"Irregular" can be a noun⁷, too. It can describe a person belonging to a military force that is outside of the national armed forces of a country. Such forces usually do not have the same command structure and are often called paramilitary forces.

"Irregular" also can mean a piece of clothing that is a little damaged, or not exactly perfect, and is sold in some stores at a lower price than normal.

So, while these two words are often used as synonyms, "irregular" has more meanings and is often used as both an adjective and a noun. And it might be a better word choice in some situations depending on what you want to say.

Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Riya.

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Words in This Story

pattern – n. a regular and repeated way in which something happens

participle – n. (grammar) a form of a verb that is used to indicate a past or present action and that can also be used like an adjective

1 abnormal   

adj.反常的，不正常的，不规则的

参考例句：

• This warm weather is abnormal for February.二月里这种温暖的天气不太正常。
• That is simply abnormal.那简直是反常的。

2 synonyms   

同义词( synonym的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• If you want to grasp English, you must carefully discriminate synonyms. 如果你想掌握好英语，你必须仔细区分同义词。
• Study the idioms and synonyms l wrote down before your test. 学考试前我给你写的习惯用语和同义字。

3 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

4 notable   

adj.值得注意的，著名的；n.名人，要人

参考例句：

• His achievement is very notable.他的成就是非常显著的。
• He wrote and published the essay under notable's name.他假托名人写文章发表。

5 adjective   

n.形容词；adj.形容词的，用作形容词的

参考例句：

• Don't apply that adjective to me.不要用那个字眼来形容我。
• The adjective loose has several senses. 形容词loose有几个义项。

6 investment   

n.投资，投资额；(时间、精力等的)投入

参考例句：

• It took two years before I recouped my investment.我用了两年时间才收回投资。
• The success of the project pivots on investment from abroad.这个工程的成功主要依靠外来投资。

7 noun   

n.名词

参考例句：

• What kind of noun is this?这是哪类名词？
• This word is a collective noun.这个词是个集体名词。