at certain periods

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at certain periods" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific times or intervals when something occurs or is relevant. Example: "The company experiences increased sales at certain periods throughout the year, particularly during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"At certain periods, she was talking about the need to stand out," Immordino Vreeland recalls.

The Guardian - Film

"At certain periods of your life, you start to want to find out what happened to your parents," she said once.

The New York Times

I love Jason Pierce's lyrics: they're so simple but they're also really poignant, and they've meant lots to me at certain periods in my life.

The Guardian - Music

Yet it is right to allow for an element of conscious antiquarianism at certain periods (the 320s in Athens being one), which may well have affected specific traditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Regions other than the primary sex organs may also be affected by hormones circulating at certain periods of the reproductive cycle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The plants grow best in mild to cool climates and tolerate frost; some forms tolerate hard freezing at certain periods of growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

This is conducted by alternately raise it to drying temperature and lowers it to the ambient temperature at certain period.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Having reached version 1.0, the Energy ADE data model will be kept stable for at certain period of time (at least 1 year), in order to allow the partners in the consortium as well as external companies to adapt their existing tools.

Open Geospatial Data, Software and Standards

This is because ability of TRAF6 to activate IRF7 should be evaluated amounts of phosphorylated IRF7 generated at certain period after stimulation as a consequence of both phosphorylation of IRF7 and degradation of unphosphorylated and phosphorylated IRF7 on the condition that amounts of IRF7 expressed at 0 h are almost equal in Traf6+/+ and Traf6−/− MEF cells.

Plosone

Since the sealed pen type with environmental controls appear to reduce the risk of death in layer birds by about half, it will become important to promote this housing type in sub-Saharan Africa where climatic conditions get extreme at certain period of the year.

BMC Veterinary Research

We found evidence of self-organization in the data and thus propose that the interplanetary medium is close to a critical state, at least for certain periods, and that this may explain the noncyclic components of solar activity.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at certain periods" when you want to indicate that something occurs or is relevant during specific, identifiable times, but without needing to specify exact dates or durations. It's useful for describing trends, habits, or phenomena that fluctuate over time.

Common error

Avoid using "at certain periods" so often that your writing becomes vague. If possible, provide more specific time frames or contextual information to enhance clarity. For example, instead of saying "Symptoms worsen at certain periods", specify "Symptoms worsen during the pollen season."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at certain periods" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, clause, or sentence. It specifies when an action or state occurs, indicating that it happens during specific times, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at certain periods" is a useful adverbial phrase for indicating that something occurs during specific times or intervals. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in English. While not the most common phrase, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. For clarity, consider specifying the time frames if possible and avoid overuse to maintain precision in writing. Alternatives like "during specific times" or "at particular times" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at particular times

Substitutes "certain" with "particular", offering a slightly more emphasized specificity.

during specific times

Replaces the more formal "at certain periods" with a simpler, more direct expression.

during select intervals

Replaces "times" with "intervals", suggesting more precisely defined durations.

at defined moments

Suggests precise and clearly marked points in time.

in specific instances

Shifts the focus to individual occurrences rather than broader timeframes.

at times

Offers a shortened version that retains the core meaning with a touch less precision.

during set times

Implies that the times are pre-arranged or decided beforehand.

at specific junctures

Replaces "periods" with "junctures", suggesting critical or decisive moments.

in determined instances

Indicates that the instances are specifically chosen or defined.

on occasion

Provides a more general and less frequent implication compared to specific or certain periods.

FAQs

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

Use "at certain periods" to indicate that something occurs during particular times or intervals, without specifying exact dates or durations. For example, "The museum offers free admission "at certain periods" during the year."

What are some alternatives to "at certain periods"?

You can use alternatives like "during specific times", "at particular times", or "in specific instances", depending on the level of precision and formality required. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while retaining the core meaning.

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "at certain periods"?

While "at certain periods" is acceptable, being more specific can often improve clarity. If the exact times are known and relevant, providing them will make your writing more informative. However, if the specific times are not important or are unknown, "at certain periods" is a useful general reference.

What's the difference between "at certain periods" and "at regular intervals"?

"At certain periods" implies specific times that may not be predictable or consistent, while "at regular intervals" suggests consistent, predictable timing. The choice depends on whether the occurrences are cyclical or sporadic.