at predictable times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at predictable times" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to events or actions that occur regularly or can be anticipated in terms of timing. Example: "The train arrives at predictable times, making it easy for commuters to plan their journeys."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Second, Maznevski and Chudoba also found that repeated FTF meetings are best when occurring at predictable times and intervals.

Harvard Business Review

The bills arrive for predictable sums of money, at predictable times, with predictable penalties for paying late.

The Washington Post

Animals are particularly susceptible to hunting as they migrate, because they swarm in vast groups at predictable times and places.

The New York Times - Science

Justices from previous times would cycle off the Court at predictable times, and they would be replaced by new Justices reflecting the current President and Senate.

The Washington Post

In addition, NASA astrobiologist Michael Mumma reported in 2009 finding plumes of methane gas erupting at specific spots and at predictable times on Mars.

The Washington Post

The rest of the show resembles a kindergarten class schedule, with distinct subjects appearing at predictable times in a familiar way.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

A study using a similar methodology of examining events as a function of proportion of disease elapsed, found that medical equipment needs also occur at predictable time points (Bromberg et al., 2010).

Brain

> -wrap-foot> Although milestones were reached at relatively predictable times, some tended to occur at similar time points to each other (Fig. 1, Tables 1 and 2).

Brain

On any given day my weight varied by about four pounds, with a dozen pounds passing in and out of the giant meat tube that is me at only vaguely predictable times.

The Guardian

Although other tropical and subtropical countries in Southeast Asia have distinct seasonality (5 ) so that dengue epidemics occur at distinct and predictable times of the year (6 ), Singapore's proximity to the equator gives it an aseasonal climate, and the timing of dengue epidemics is irregular (7, 8 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Today, drug combinations manipulate a woman's cycle so she can ovulate at a predictable time.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at predictable times" when you want to emphasize that an event or action occurs with enough regularity that it can be anticipated. This adds a sense of reliability or routine to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at predictable times" excessively in creative writing or narratives where spontaneity and surprise are desired. Overuse can make the writing feel monotonous and detract from the reader's engagement. Instead, use varied language to imply a character's sense of time or routine.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at predictable times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to indicate regularity and expected timing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2.5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at predictable times" functions as an adverbial phrase to indicate that something occurs with regularity and can be anticipated. As noted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and it appears across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While "at predictable times" is useful for emphasizing the routine nature of events, it's important to avoid overuse, especially in creative writing where spontaneity is valued. Related phrases like "at regular intervals" or "on a consistent basis" can provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at set times

Emphasizes that the times are pre-arranged or fixed.

at regular intervals

Emphasizes the consistent spacing between occurrences.

according to a fixed schedule

Highlights the predetermined nature of the schedule.

on a regular schedule

Focuses on the regularity of the schedule rather than predictability.

at scheduled moments

Highlights that these are points in time that have been agreed.

on a consistent basis

Highlights the consistency of the occurrences over time.

on a time table

This alternative stresses there is a formal plan.

as per usual

Suggests something is happening in an expected way.

by the clock

Implies precision and punctuality in timing.

like clockwork

Suggests reliable and precise timing, often mechanical.

FAQs

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

You can use "at predictable times" to describe events or actions that occur regularly and can be anticipated. For example, "The bus arrives "at predictable times", making it easy to plan your commute."

What are some alternatives to "at predictable times"?

Some alternatives include "at regular intervals", "on a consistent basis", or "at set times", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "at predictable times" or "at regular times"?

Both "at predictable times" and "at regular times" are correct, but "at predictable times" emphasizes the ability to anticipate the event, while "at regular times" simply emphasizes the consistent timing.

What does it mean when something happens "at predictable times"?

When something happens "at predictable times", it means that it occurs with enough consistency that its occurrence can be anticipated based on a pattern or schedule.