at certain stages

USAGE SUMMARY

'at certain stages' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about a process or series of events that occur in stages or steps. For example: "The project will need to be monitored closely at certain stages to make sure that it is on track for completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The temptation to cry might actually have been quite strong in the author at certain stages.

The Guardian - Sport

"A little painful, with all those memories, our family at certain stages".

The New York Times - Sports

"You've got to judge it by where you are in the league at certain stages.

Independent

"At certain stages," he said, "C.E.O.'s of dot-coms spend 90percentt of their time raising money".

The New York Times

At certain stages in history you need people who are not necessarily very pleasant to give the establishment a prod.

The Guardian

Do infections at certain stages in a dog's life leave it vulnerable to more serious diseases in later years?

The Guardian

"It is expected that there are certain things that you will do at certain stages," Pennington said.

The New Yorker

Slightly different is vortex motion in streams; at certain stages of turbulent flow, rotating currents with central updrafts are formed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This means applying it at certain stages of existing mass-production processes, such as printing antennae onto mobile-phone cases.

The Economist

At certain stages of the tide, the waters are dotted with dangerous eddies, with strange upward domings, or with sinister pits.

The New Yorker

Both processes can, at certain stages, employ the same laboratory techniques, but then they follow different paths and have different outcomes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at certain stages" to clearly indicate that a process or phenomenon doesn't occur continuously but rather during specific, identifiable periods.

Common error

While "at certain stages" is a useful phrase, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "during specific phases" or "at key moments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at certain stages" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurs. As Ludwig AI explains, it denotes that an action or condition is present only during specific periods or phases, rather than continuously.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at certain stages" is a versatile phrase used to denote that an action or event occurs only during specific periods or phases. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While useful, avoid overuse by varying your language with alternatives like "during specific phases" or "at key moments". Remember to use "at certain stages" to indicate specific, identifiable periods and to avoid implying continuous action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at specific points

Replaces 'stages' with 'points', emphasizing particular moments rather than broader phases.

at key moments

Highlights the most important or critical points within a sequence of events.

at particular junctures

Substitutes 'stages' with the more formal 'junctures', suggesting critical moments or turning points.

during critical periods

Emphasizes significant time frames where certain conditions or events are crucial.

during specific phases

Uses 'phases' instead of 'stages', highlighting distinct periods in a cycle or process.

at designated times

Emphasizes pre-determined or scheduled moments within a process.

in selected instances

Focuses on specific occurrences or examples where something happens.

in some instances

Indicates that something occurs occasionally or in a non-continuous manner.

on occasion

Offers a more concise way to express that something happens sometimes, but not always.

at intervals

Implies that events happen regularly, with fixed or measured time frames in between.

FAQs

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

The phrase "at certain stages" indicates that something happens during specific periods or phases of a process. For example: "The project requires careful monitoring "at certain stages" to ensure its success."

What are some alternatives to "at certain stages"?

You can use phrases like "at specific points", "during specific phases", or "at key moments" as alternatives to "at certain stages", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "at certain stages" or "in some instances"?

"At certain stages" and "in some instances" have similar meanings, but "at certain stages" typically implies a more structured or planned sequence, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts, while "in some instances" is generally more informal.

What is the difference between "at certain stages" and "at all stages"?

"At certain stages" means something happens only during specific periods, while "at all stages" means it happens continuously throughout the entire process. For example, "Monitoring is crucial "at certain stages"" versus "Monitoring is crucial at all stages."