at certain intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

"at certain intervals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something happens at regular, predetermined amounts of time. Example sentence: She visited her family members at certain intervals throughout the year.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was somewhat a matter of semantics; there are, at least, mini-eclipses at certain intervals.

The New Yorker

By arranging hydrogen injections at certain intervals, it could reduce the combustion back pressure.

Aerospace Science and Technology

Most companies carry some debt and must pay regular interest and repay principal at certain intervals to avoid bankruptcy.

The New York Times

In all, four cups of wine (arbaʿ kosot) will be drunk at certain intervals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Federal transportation safety regulations require the high-pitched air horn to blast at certain intervals.

The New York Times - Sports

The building layout uses outriggers at certain intervals, integrated tension cables and CLT structural wall elements in the facades.

Procedia Engineering

In some polymers shorter chains grow off the long chain at certain intervals, so that a branched structure is formed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Netherlands in category D and Norway are similar in the sense that there is a research assessment exercise at certain intervals which does not influence resource allocation.

Nature

Even though at certain intervals, very high number of rays would be generated, it is still faster than the first method.

Stanford University

Additionally, two tasks, including the clock for the SD card, and the GPS update signal needed to be called at certain intervals.

Cornell University

The brain is like cyclical and use to this use of a cell phone reoccuring at certain intervals setting up an unconscious expectation that distracts the subject.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experiments or procedures, use "at certain intervals" to clearly indicate when measurements or actions were taken. This enhances clarity and reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid using "at certain intervals" without specifying the actual durations or times. Provide context by stating, for example, "at 10-minute intervals" or "daily at noon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at certain intervals" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify when an action occurs. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it adds detail about the timing of events, actions or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at certain intervals" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating periodic occurrences with a degree of regularity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including science, news media, and academia. While its register is neutral, specifying the exact durations enhances clarity and reproducibility. Ludwig's examples highlight its utility in describing experimental procedures, medical treatments, and other scenarios requiring precise timing. Be mindful, you can use alternatives, such as "periodically", or "at regular intervals" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at regular intervals

Highlights the uniformity of the spacing between occurrences.

at predetermined times

Stresses that timing is decided in advance.

at set periods

Implies planned or pre-determined timing.

periodically

Emphasizes the regularity of occurrences.

at designated moments

Implies that specific moments have been chosen for something to happen.

at specific times

Focuses on particular moments when something happens.

at established frequencies

Highlights a recurring pattern based on a determined measure.

from time to time

Indicates occasional occurrences without specifying a pattern.

on occasion

Indicates that something happens sometimes, but not regularly.

at particular junctures

Emphasizes specific points in time or stages.

FAQs

How can I use "at certain intervals" in a sentence?

Use "at certain intervals" to indicate that something occurs periodically or at specific times, as in "The medication should be taken at certain intervals throughout the day".

What are some alternatives to using "at certain intervals"?

You can use alternatives like "periodically", "at regular intervals", or "at specific times" depending on the desired emphasis.

Is it better to say "at certain intervals" or "at regular intervals"?

Both are correct, but "at regular intervals" implies consistent time spacing, while "at certain intervals" can refer to less rigidly defined or less frequent timing.

What is the difference between "at certain intervals" and "occasionally"?

"At certain intervals" suggests some predictability or planning, whereas "occasionally" implies something happens from time to time without any clear pattern.