Cool MateFull-time vs Permanent vs Regular vs Steady
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Full-time
Permanent
Regular
Steady
| Full-time | Permanent | Regular | Steady | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌfʊl ˈtaɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌfʊl ˈtaɪm/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɜːmənənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɜːrmənənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈreɡjələ(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈreɡjələr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈstedi/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈstedi/"]/ |
| Meaning | Working all the hours of a regular job, usually 40 hours a week. | Lasting forever or a long time without changing. | Something that happens often or follows a usual pattern. | Not changing; stable. |
| Example | The referee blew his whistle for full time. | The tattoo on her arm is a permanent reminder of her travels. | I go to the gym on a regular basis to stay fit. | She has a steady job that provides her with financial security. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | adjective | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | full-time job, full-time employee, full-time position | be, prove, seem, almost, relatively, seemingly | be, highly, very, perfectly, be, seem, become, very, fairly, pretty, at regular intervals, on a regular basis, be, seem, become, very, fairly, pretty, at regular intervals, on a regular basis, be, seem, fairly, pretty, perfectly, be, highly, very, perfectly | be, seem, become, remarkably, very, fairly, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | part-time, temporary | temporary, transient, fleeting | irregular, unusual, occasional | unstable, fluctuating, irregular |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'part-time', which means working fewer hours., Using it to describe unpaid work, which isn't usually correct., Misplacing the hyphen, writing 'full time' instead of 'full-time'. | Confused with 'temporary' which means the opposite., Using it to describe things that are not fixed like temporary jobs., Spelling errors or misuse of similar-sounding words. | Confusing 'regular' with 'regularly' (adverb), Using 'regular' in a negative structure incorrectly, like 'not regular' instead of 'irregular', Overusing 'regular' instead of more specific adjectives like 'standard' or 'common' | Confused with 'steady' vs 'stedy' - 'steady' is the correct spelling., Using 'steady' in contexts that require a more dynamic word, like 'active' or 'exciting'., Mixing up 'steady' with 'steady on' - the latter is used primarily as a command. |
| Usage notes | Usually used in job descriptions or discussions about work hours. Not typically used in informal contexts. | Use 'permanent' when something is fixed or unchangeable. It's suitable for both formal and everyday contexts, but avoid using it when speaking about temporary situations. | Used to describe things that are common or expected. In formal writing, be cautious with synonyms like 'consistent' for precision. Avoid in casual contexts where 'usual' or 'typical' might be clearer. | Use 'steady' to describe something that is consistent or reliable. It’s appropriate in both casual conversations and professional contexts, but avoid using it in overly emotional situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Full-time vs Permanent vs Regular vs Steady
What's the difference between Full-time, Permanent, Regular, and Steady?
Full-time: Working all the hours of a regular job, usually 40 hours a week. Permanent: Lasting forever or a long time without changing. Regular: Something that happens often or follows a usual pattern. Steady: Not changing; stable.
Are Full-time, Permanent, Regular, and Steady the same CEFR level?
Full-time: B1, Permanent: B2, Regular: A2, Steady: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Full-time, Permanent, Regular, and Steady?
Full-time: noun, Permanent: adjective, Regular: adjective, Steady: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Full-time: The referee blew his whistle for full time. Permanent: The tattoo on her arm is a permanent reminder of her travels. Regular: I go to the gym on a regular basis to stay fit. Steady: She has a steady job that provides her with financial security.
Can I use Full-time, Permanent, Regular, and Steady interchangeably?
Not always. Full-time, Permanent, Regular, and Steady are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.