erratically

/ɪˈrætɪkli/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈrætɪkli/ (ame, ipa) · /|ə̇k(ə)lē |ēk-, -li/ (ame, mw)

erratically — adverb

1. happening with no steady rhythm, jumping suddenly between different speeds, leve

1.副詞C1
釋義

happening with no steady rhythm, jumping suddenly between different speeds, levels, or directions so nothing follows a clear pattern.

例句

The old taxi swerved erratically across three lanes of Bangkok traffic.

verb + erratically describing physical motion

Layla's heart was beating erratically before she walked onto the stage.

collocation: heart + beat erratically (medical or anxious context)

同義詞
  • unpredictably

    neutral; emphasises that no one can guess what comes next

  • irregularly

    focuses on broken rhythm or schedule, less judgemental than erratically

  • haphazardly

    stresses lack of planning; usually about how something is done, not how it moves

反義詞

文法句型

verb + erratically

behave / drive / move erratically

用法筆記

Almost always post-modifies a verb of motion, behaviour, or change (drive, move, behave, fluctuate, beat). Distinguish from 'randomly': erratically implies the irregularity is noticeable and often worrying, not just unplanned.

常見錯誤

❌He is an erratically driver.
✅He drives erratically.
💡erratically is an adverb; use the adjective 'erratic' before a noun.
❌The wifi works erratically good.
✅The wifi works erratically.
💡erratically modifies the verb on its own; do not stack it with another adverb of degree.