at intervals of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at intervals of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the amount of time between certain points or events. For example, "The sprinklers are set to go off at intervals of five minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For such testing, blood has to be collected at intervals of at least two weeks.

The New York Times

More riders followed, fearsomely fast and loud, at intervals of a few seconds.

The New Yorker

Held up by stakes hand-driven at intervals of 10 feet.

The New York Times

Hundreds of police officers are posted along the route, at intervals of 100 to 200 yards.

The New York Times

Along the hypotenuse, winter gardens were planned at intervals of seven stories.

The New York Times - Arts

At 11 45 p.m., rounds were exploding at intervals of 15 to 20 seconds between impacts, they noted.

The New York Times

Numerous searches ensued at intervals of roughly 30 minutes, carried out by different parts of the army (customs, transport security).

The Guardian - Travel

The bone density was measured at intervals of six months, one year, two years and three years.

The New York Times

The run of wires is 12.3m with 13 trees spaced at intervals of about half a metre.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Small fins of glass will project from the otherwise flush skin at intervals of 5 and 10 feet.

The New York Times

Exhibited occasionally at intervals of decades, the two paintings have not been displayed together at the Metropolitan Museum since 1917.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that happen with regularity, use "at intervals of" to clearly specify the duration or distance between them. For instance, "Medications should be taken "at intervals of" six hours".

Common error

Avoid using "at intervals of" when you mean a continuous action or process. "The machine dispensed liquid at intervals" implies discrete, separated instances, not a continuous flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at intervals of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the spacing or timing between repeated events or objects, defining how frequently or how far apart they occur. Ludwig examples show diverse applications, and Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at intervals of" is a grammatically correct and versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the frequency or spacing between events or objects. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in science and news media. It’s crucial to use it when precision is needed and to avoid using it for continuous actions. Ludwig provides a range of examples demonstrating its diverse applications, from describing medication schedules to scientific measurements, making it a valuable tool for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at set times

Specifies that the intervals are predetermined and regular.

periodically

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb indicating recurrence.

spaced apart by

Emphasizes the distance or duration separating items or events.

with gaps of

Focuses on the space or duration between occurrences.

at specific frequencies

Indicates a measurable rate of recurrence.

separated by periods of

Highlights the intervening time between events.

at regular junctures

Replaces "intervals" with a synonym and adds a sense of formality.

at recurring moments

Focuses on the instances of time that recur.

in recurring sequences

Highlights the repetitive nature of the pattern.

punctuated by

Suggests that the intervals serve to divide or emphasize.

FAQs

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

Use "at intervals of" to describe events or actions that repeat with a specific amount of time or distance between them. For example, "The lights flashed "at intervals of" ten seconds".

What phrases are similar to "at intervals of"?

Alternatives include "periodically", "at set times", or "spaced apart by". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in intervals of" instead of "at intervals of"?

While "in intervals" might be understood, "at intervals of" is the standard and grammatically correct phrasing. It clearly indicates the regularity and spacing of events.

How does the meaning of "at intervals of" differ from "every"?

"Every" can sometimes be used similarly to "at intervals of", but "at intervals of" specifies a precise duration or distance. For example, "at intervals of 5 minutes" is more specific than "every few minutes".