at intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at intervals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens consistently and periodically. For example: "The students took a break at intervals throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

at intervals.

Cornell University

3 waitresses at intervals.

The New Yorker

At intervals we would stop.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Vertical timbers at intervals are generally used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"At intervals some emotion broke in".

The New York Times - Arts

I am the best at intervals!

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Pulses occur at 20min intervals, at defined cell cycle times.

Harvard University

Repeat at regular intervals.

The Guardian - Travel

// synapses at regular intervals.

Yale University

They bloom at odd intervals.

The New York Times

They are replaced at regular intervals".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that occur with some separation in time or space, use "at intervals" to clearly indicate the periodic or spaced nature of the occurrences. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "at intervals" automatically implies regularity. If the intervals are irregular, explicitly state "at irregular intervals" or use a more suitable phrase like "sporadically".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at intervals" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how frequently or with what spacing an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, highlighting its role in providing context to the timing or spacing of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at intervals" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe actions or events that occur periodically, with breaks or spaces in between. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using "at intervals", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether the intervals are regular or irregular. For more precise communication, consider alternatives like "periodically" or "intermittently", and be mindful of specifying regularity when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intermittently

Similar to periodically but emphasizes that the occurrences are not necessarily regular.

periodically

Single word replacing a phrase with a more succinct adverb meaning 'at regular intervals'.

at regular times

Specifies that the intervals are consistent and predictable.

sporadically

Highlights the unpredictable and infrequent nature of the occurrences.

with breaks

Directly states that there are pauses or interruptions between occurrences.

every so often

More informal way of expressing that something happens from time to time.

from time to time

Emphasizes the occasional nature of the events.

on occasion

Highlights the infrequency of the events.

in stages

Focuses on the phased or stepped nature of the process, implying intervals.

in shifts

Implies occurrences are divided into discrete periods.

FAQs

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

You can use "at intervals" to describe actions or events that occur periodically. For example, "The guard checked the perimeter "at intervals" throughout the night".

What are some alternatives to saying "at intervals"?

Some alternatives include "periodically", "intermittently", or "sporadically", depending on the regularity and predictability of the occurrences.

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

If the intervals are consistent, "at regular intervals" is more precise. "At intervals" alone simply implies that occurrences are spaced apart, not necessarily evenly.

What does "at intervals" mean?

"At intervals" means that something happens with periods of time or space between each occurrence. The periods are not necessarily of equal length.