at certain time intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at certain time intervals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to specific, recurring periods of time during which an action occurs or is measured. Example: "The system will perform maintenance checks at certain time intervals to ensure optimal performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The photodegradation was monitored by taking PL spectra at certain time intervals.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The Himalayan collision zone experiences many seismic activities with large earthquakes occurring at certain time intervals.

Earth, Planets and Space

At certain time intervals, samples were taken and COD was measured.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Light-induced hydrophilicity was evaluated in atmospheric air by irradiating the samples at certain time intervals.

Nanoscale Research Letters

A 4 mL suspension was taken at certain time intervals and centrifuged.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The absorbance of the solution was recorded at certain time intervals.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Although not all 33 taxa co-existed, over half likely co-existed in certain time intervals, including at least eight megaherbivorous taxa (Megaherbivore Assemblage Zone 1 [ 51]).

BMC Ecology

After depositing at 600°C with a constant RF power of 80 W for certain time intervals, a layer of ZnO nanoparticles was obtained.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Subsequent measurements were carried out after certain time intervals.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The reaction was conducted at 60°C and at a certain time interval, 10 μL of sample aliquot was extracted with ethyl-acetate and then applied for chiral HPLC analysis.

BMC Biotechnology

At a certain time interval, three flasks were fetched for analysis of DCW, lipid content, intracellular Monascus pigment concentration, and extracellular ones.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at certain time intervals", be as specific as possible about the duration or frequency to provide clarity for the reader. For example, specify "at 30-minute intervals" instead of just "at certain time intervals".

Common error

Avoid using "at certain time intervals" without providing context about what constitutes "certain." Instead, quantify the intervals (e.g. "every hour", "twice daily") to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at certain time intervals" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurs. Ludwig examples confirm it's used to indicate repeated actions or measurements over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at certain time intervals" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe the timing of recurring events or actions. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in scientific and technical contexts but is also suitable for general use. To enhance clarity, consider quantifying the intervals whenever possible. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is important to avoid vagueness by clearly defining the intervals in your writing. Alternatives include "periodically" and "at regular intervals", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at regular intervals

Replaces "certain" with "regular", implying a consistent and predictable schedule.

periodically

Single-word adverb replacing the multi-word prepositional phrase, indicating recurrence.

at set time intervals

Similar to "determined intervals", implying predefined and fixed durations.

at determined intervals

Suggests that the intervals are predetermined or established beforehand.

at specific time points

Focuses on the timing of the interval rather than the duration.

at predictable intervals

Emphasizes that the time intervals are anticipated or easily foreseen.

at recurring times

Changes "intervals" to "times", focusing on specific moments rather than periods.

every so often

Informal way of saying the actions are not necessarily predictable but still recurring.

from time to time

More general, suggesting that the actions are not frequent or scheduled.

on occasion

Indicates less frequent and less predictable actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "at certain time intervals" to describe actions or measurements that are repeated over time. For example, "The samples were analyzed "at certain time intervals" to monitor the reaction progress".

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

You can use alternatives such as "periodically", "at regular intervals", or "at specific time points" depending on the context.

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

The choice depends on the context. "At regular intervals" implies a consistent, predictable schedule, while "at certain time intervals" suggests specific, but not necessarily evenly spaced, times. Thus, "at regular intervals" emphasizes consistency, and ""at certain time intervals"" allows for flexibility.

What does "at certain time intervals" imply about the timing of events?

"At certain time intervals" suggests that events or actions are repeated, but the exact spacing between these events might not be uniform or known. This contrasts with phrases like "hourly" or "daily", which indicate precise timing.