at certain times

USAGE SUMMARY

'at certain times' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to specify particular times or moments. Example sentence: We need to monitor the system carefully at certain times throughout the day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not just at certain times".

The New York Times - Sports

Cameras are only appropriate at certain times.

Independent

Choosing certain roles at certain times.

The Guardian - Film

Superman has felt weak, at certain times.

The Guardian - Music

People at certain times get the substandard product of it.

Harvard University

We have to hit certain houses at certain times.

The New Yorker

"We bent at certain times, but we didn't break".

The New York Times - Sports

We didn't do it all that well at certain times.

The New York Times

Only at certain times can a body be sexual.

The New Yorker

Certain spots are hot at certain times, he said.

The New York Times

At certain times of day — say, 3 a.m.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at certain times" to specify that something occurs during particular moments or periods, rather than continuously or randomly. For instance, "The library is less crowded at certain times of the day."

Common error

Avoid using "at certain times" when you mean to say "sometimes" or "occasionally". "At certain times" implies a level of predictability or specificity that "sometimes" lacks. For example, instead of saying "The bus is late at certain times", consider "The bus is sometimes late" if the lateness isn't linked to specific hours or conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at certain times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurs or a condition is valid. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at certain times" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to specify when an action or condition occurs, as validated by Ludwig. Its neutral register and widespread presence across News & Media, Science, and Academia highlight its broad applicability. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the intended specificity, distinguishing it from general terms like "sometimes". Alternatives such as "at particular times" or "during select periods" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Ludwig confirms that "at certain times" is a robust and reliable choice for precise temporal specification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at particular times

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing the specificity of the times.

at specific moments

Substitutes "times" with "moments", focusing on brief, distinct instances.

during select periods

Uses "during" to indicate a time frame and "select" to highlight the chosen nature of the periods.

in certain instances

Replaces "times" with "instances", shifting the focus to occurrences or events.

under specific circumstances

Emphasizes the conditions or situations during which something happens, rather than the time itself.

on occasion

Implies that something happens sporadically or infrequently.

from time to time

Suggests that something happens periodically but not regularly.

at intervals

Indicates that something happens with spaces of time in between.

periodically

Conveys that something happens at regular or irregular intervals.

sometimes

Indicates that something happens occasionally, without specifying when.

FAQs

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

Use "at certain times" to indicate that an event or condition occurs during specific moments or periods. For instance, "The museum offers free admission "at certain times" on Tuesdays".

What's the difference between "at certain times" and "sometimes"?

"At certain times" implies specificity or predictability regarding when something happens, while "sometimes" suggests occasional occurrence without a clear pattern. For example, "The store is closed "at certain times" for holidays", versus "The store is "sometimes" closed unexpectedly".

Which is correct, "at certain times" or "in certain times"?

"At certain times" is the correct prepositional phrase. "In certain times" is not a standard or grammatically correct expression in English.

What can I say instead of "at certain times"?

You can use alternatives like "at particular times", "at specific moments", or "during select periods" depending on the context.