an interval between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an interval between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of time or space separating two events or points. Example: "There was an interval between the two performances, allowing the audience to stretch their legs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was an interval between performances, and a few friends invited him to go ice fishing.

The New Yorker

Because I know that in Lebanon, as the French writer Jean Giraudoux so intelligently put it, peace is "just an interval between two wars".

The Guardian - Books

Most nervous person in the audience, and in an interval between periods of fidgeting endeavored to explain symptoms of how he felt.

The New Yorker

Photograph: Mike Bowers Updated at 3.04am BST 2.21am BST I expected the House would move straight to dealing with the mining tax, but it will suspend briefly to allow an interval between these statements and normal parliamentary business.

The Guardian

Some modern historians see interwar Europe as reverting to its dark past, rejecting democratic liberalism for autocracy and fascism; others treat this period as an interval between British and American world hegemony.

The Guardian - Books

Its subject is a minor and transitional incident from Jesus's Passion Story, an interval between episodes of more dramatic violence and mockery.

Independent

Margaret looks after the Grey House, "itself an interval between notes, a curious reach, a space of sound", where John was brought up amid the rigours of his renowned father's piping school, begrudging "its endless isolation and its music that went on and on".

The Guardian - Books

In one case, the 1984 shooting of Eleanor Bumpurs, a mentally disturbed woman who was killed by the police in her Bronx apartment, the State Court of Appeals cited an interval between the two shots that killed her in upholding the indictment against Officer Stephen Sullivan, who was ultimately acquitted of manslaughter.

The New York Times

These findings advise the presence of an interval between primary and secondary stability.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Communication delay: an interval between a packet generation time and a packet reception time.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Thus, we treated an interval between Het-tangian and Pliensbachian as "Hettangian to Pliensbachian" interval.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing time, be specific about the units. For example, instead of "an interval between", specify "an interval of five minutes between".

Common error

Avoid assuming the "interval between" is constant. Always clarify if the interval varies or remains consistent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an interval between" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying nouns to describe a duration or space separating two distinct entities or events. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an interval between" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a period or space separating two distinct points or events. It is most frequently found in scientific and news media contexts. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile and useful for providing context and establishing relationships. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the duration or nature of the interval. Avoid assuming the interval is uniform and always clarify if it varies. Remember, while "an interval between" is widely accepted, alternative phrases like "a gap between" or "the duration between" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gap between

Emphasizes a discontinuity or void separating two elements.

a space between

Highlights the physical or abstract area that divides two things.

a period between

Focuses on the duration separating two events.

a break between

Suggests a pause or interruption separating two activities or events.

time elapsed between

Specifically indicates the measured time that has passed between two points.

the separation between

Highlights the act of distancing or dividing two entities.

the duration between

Emphasizes the length of time separating two occurrences.

a lapse between

Implies a temporary failure or decline separating two states.

the distance between

Focuses on the extent of space or time that divides two things.

the interim between

Refers to a temporary period or arrangement separating two more significant events.

FAQs

How can I use "an interval between" in a sentence?

Use "an interval between" to describe a period or space separating two events or points. For example, "There was "a short interval between" the announcement and the implementation."

What's a more formal way to say "an interval between"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the period between" or "the time elapsed between" for a more precise tone.

What are some alternatives to "an interval between" when discussing spatial relationships?

When referring to spatial separation, you might use "a space between" or "the distance between" to emphasize the physical separation.

Is it always necessary to specify the length of "an interval between"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the length or nature of "an interval between" provides clarity. For instance, stating "a brief interval between" conveys more information than simply saying "an interval between".