at some stages

USAGE SUMMARY

"at some stages" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to different points in a process or timeline. For example: "At some stages, the project ran into problems that required creative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is no stigma for people accessing services; everyone does at some stages in life.

The Guardian

He has over the years flip-flopped on abortion rights, at some stages describing himself as pro-choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

I considered those to be significant differences, which I felt the BBC to be at some stages to be ignoring.

The Guardian

He decided to skip the clay-court season and admitted that he even had thoughts of retirement at some stages.

The New York Times - Sports

But while at some stages in his writing career Brecht attempted to write to the party line, Bond's is a more idiosyncratic vision.

The Guardian

He confessed to over-indulgence in this pleasure at some stages of his life, and to the recreational use of drugs.

The Guardian - Books

She certainly seemed restricted in her movement to her left at some stages in the match but did not get treatment on court.

The New York Times - Sports

"Certainly, the fans have had the best Formula One for a long time - I personally would have loved it to be a little more boring at some stages.

Independent

The market leader did not travel with his usual ease at some stages of the race and afterwards his trainer said he regretted "not running a pacemaker or two" to ensure a quicker pace.

The Guardian - Sport

In five hours of testimony, she painted a picture of a 10-year marriage to Saatchi that was "difficult at many stages and also deeply happy at some stages".

The Guardian

I still have my copy of the original Dornbusch-Fischer, which declares on p. 421, We should not be surprised if the level of output and the inflation rate move in opposite directions at some stages of the adjustment process.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at some stages" to indicate that a condition or action occurs intermittently or during certain phases of a process, rather than continuously. For example, "At some stages, the project required external consultation."

Common error

Avoid using "at some stages" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. More precise language, such as "during specific phases" or "intermittently", may be more appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at some stages" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when or during which part of a process an action or condition occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at some stages" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating that something occurs intermittently or during specific phases of a process. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts including science, news media, and formal business. While it is a versatile phrase, consider using more precise language in highly formal settings. Numerous examples in Ludwig illustrate how this phrase is used to specify timing or duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at certain points

This alternative replaces "stages" with "points", which emphasizes specific moments rather than broader periods.

during some phases

This option replaces "stages" with "phases", which suggests a process with defined steps or periods.

in some instances

This alternative shifts the focus to specific occurrences or events, rather than periods of time.

at particular junctures

This phrase offers a more formal alternative, suggesting critical moments or turning points.

occasionally

This alternative simplifies the phrase to indicate that something happens from time to time.

at times

This option is a shorter, more general way of saying that something happens sometimes.

in some cases

This focuses on instances rather than periods, implying a specific set of circumstances.

periodically

This alternative emphasizes a recurring pattern over time.

from time to time

This phrase indicates that something happens intermittently or occasionally.

at select moments

This alternative emphasizes the deliberate selection of specific times.

FAQs

How can I use "at some stages" in a sentence?

You can use "at some stages" to indicate that something happens during certain parts or phases of a process. For example, "At some stages, the river overflows its banks."

What are some alternatives to "at some stages"?

Alternatives include phrases like "at certain points", "during some phases", or "in some instances", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "at some stages" formal or informal?

"At some stages" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or highly professional settings.

How does "at some stages" differ from "at all stages"?

"At some stages" implies that something occurs only during specific parts of a process or period, whereas "at all stages" indicates that something is consistent and present throughout the entire process.