Irregular vs. Abnormal

2023-03-18

00:00 / 00:00
复读宝 RABC v8.0beta 复读机按钮使用说明
播放/暂停
停止
播放时:倒退3秒/复读时:回退AB段
播放时:快进3秒/复读时:前进AB段
拖动:改变速度/点击:恢复正常速度1.0
拖动改变复读暂停时间
点击:复读最近5秒/拖动:改变复读次数
设置A点
设置B点
取消复读并清除AB点
播放一行
停止播放
后退一行
前进一行
复读一行
复读多行
变速复读一行
变速复读多行
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1
  • Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about two common synonyms, or words that have similar meanings, "abnormal" and "irregular."
  • 2
  • Hi VOA Learning English,
  • 3
  • I am Riya from China. I wish to know the difference between the words "abnormal" and "irregular."
  • 4
  • Is there any other word that has a similar meaning of irregular?
  • 5
  • Thanks,
  • 6
  • Riya
  • 7
  • Thank you, Riya, for this great question.
  • 8
  • While "abnormal" and "irregular" are often used in similar situations, there are some notable differences. Let's consider "abnormal" first.
  • 9
  • "Abnormal" is an adjective meaning not normal, usual, or average.
  • 10
  • It suggests that something is troublesome or a problem. For example:
  • 11
  • His blood tests showed an abnormal level of T cells.
  • 12
  • The veterinarian said a viral infection caused the marmot's abnormal behavior.
  • 13
  • "Normal" is often used in describing growth or behavior.
  • 14
  • These are processes that are not the same all of the time, but experience and knowledge form our understanding of what they are.
  • 15
  • "Abnormal" is often used to describe what is outside our experience of what "normal" is.
  • 16
  • Let's move on to "irregular."
  • 17
  • As an adjective, "irregular" has several different meanings.
  • 18
  • The first describes something that does not happen at regular, predictable times.
  • 19
  • It can describe an activity that happens for different lengths of time or that happens once in a while.
  • 20
  • Amanda's work schedule was very irregular.
  • 21
  • Sometimes she worked nights; other times she worked during the day.
  • 22
  • The second meaning describes appearance that is not even, straight, or smooth.
  • 23
  • It can also describe something that does not form a regular pattern.
  • 24
  • The coast of the state is quite irregular with its rocky hills.
  • 25
  • A third meaning has to do with observing regular rules, laws or behavior.
  • 26
  • The bank failed because of irregular investment practices.
  • 27
  • In English grammar, there are "irregular" action words, or verbs.
  • 28
  • In many languages, verbs have different endings to agree with number or tense.
  • 29
  • For example, the verb "eat" is an irregular verb.
  • 30
  • The past tense is not "eated," it is "ate." The past participle is "eaten."
  • 31
  • Other words can also have "irregular" differences from the usual patterns of grammar.
  • 32
  • "Irregular" can be a noun, too.
  • 33
  • It can describe a person belonging to a military force that is outside of the national armed forces of a country.
  • 34
  • Such forces usually do not have the same command structure and are often called paramilitary forces.
  • 35
  • "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.
  • 36
  • 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.
  • 37
  • And it might be a better word choice in some situations depending on what you want to say.
  • 38
  • Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Riya.
  • 39
  • What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
  • 40
  • And that's Ask a Teacher.
  • 41
  • I'm Faith Pirlo.
  • 1
  • Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about two common synonyms, or words that have similar meanings, "abnormal" and "irregular."
  • 2
  • Question:
  • 3
  • Hi VOA Learning English,
  • 4
  • 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?
  • 5
  • Thanks,
  • 6
  • Riya
  • 7
  • Answer
  • 8
  • Thank you, Riya, for this great question. While "abnormal" and "irregular" are often used in similar situations, there are some notable differences. Let's consider "abnormal" first.
  • 9
  • "Abnormal" is an adjective meaning not normal, usual, or average. It suggests that something is troublesome or a problem. For example:
  • 10
  • His blood tests showed an abnormal level of T cells.
  • 11
  • The veterinarian said a viral infection caused the marmot's abnormal behavior.
  • 12
  • "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.
  • 13
  • Let's move on to "irregular."
  • 14
  • As an adjective, "irregular" has several different meanings.
  • 15
  • 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.
  • 16
  • Amanda's work schedule was very irregular. Sometimes she worked nights; other times she worked during the day.
  • 17
  • The second meaning describes appearance that is not even, straight, or smooth. It can also describe something that does not form a regular pattern.
  • 18
  • The coast of the state is quite irregular with its rocky hills.
  • 19
  • A third meaning has to do with observing regular rules, laws or behavior.
  • 20
  • The bank failed because of irregular investment practices.
  • 21
  • In English grammar, there are "irregular" action words, or verbs. In many languages, verbs have different endings to agree with number or tense.
  • 22
  • For example, the verb "eat" is an irregular verb. The past tense is not "eated," it is "ate." The past participle is "eaten."
  • 23
  • Other words can also have "irregular" differences from the usual patterns of grammar.
  • 24
  • "Irregular" can be a noun, 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.
  • 25
  • "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.
  • 26
  • 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.
  • 27
  • Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Riya.
  • 28
  • What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
  • 29
  • And that's Ask a Teacher.
  • 30
  • I'm Faith Pirlo.
  • 31
  • Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.
  • 32
  • _________________________________________________________________
  • 33
  • Words in This Story
  • 34
  • pattern - n. a regular and repeated way in which something happens
  • 35
  • 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
  • 36
  • _________________________________________________________________
  • 37
  • Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works:
  • 38
  • Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.