Cool MateFull-time vs Regular vs Steady
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Full-time
Regular
Steady
| Full-time | Regular | Steady | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌfʊl ˈtaɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌfʊl ˈtaɪm/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈreɡjələ(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈreɡjələr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈstedi/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈstedi/"]/ |
| Meaning | Working all the hours of a regular job, usually 40 hours a week. | Something that happens often or follows a usual pattern. | Not changing; stable. |
| Example | The referee blew his whistle for full time. | 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 |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | full-time job, full-time employee, full-time position | 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 | 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'. | 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. | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Full-time vs Regular vs Steady
What's the difference between Full-time, Regular, and Steady?
Full-time: Working all the hours of a regular job, usually 40 hours a week. Regular: Something that happens often or follows a usual pattern. Steady: Not changing; stable.
Which is more advanced: Full-time, Regular, and Steady?
Steady is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Full-time, Regular, and Steady the same CEFR level?
Full-time: B1, Regular: A2, Steady: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Full-time, Regular, and Steady?
Full-time: noun, Regular: adjective, Steady: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Full-time: The referee blew his whistle for full time. 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, Regular, and Steady interchangeably?
Not always. Full-time, 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.