at specific times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at specific times" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something happens at certain, defined moments. For example: We will deliver the goods to you at specific times throughout the day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Specifically, the need to provide progress reports on the program at specific times.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Check in with people at specific times.

Harvard Business Review

"In fact you're attending to specific things at specific times.

The Guardian

It requires multiple drugs to be taken at specific times.

The Guardian

And people expect their food to arrive at specific times.

The New York Times

Similarly, room selection becomes available at specific times.

Harvard University

Others limit it to purchases of certain products or at specific times.

The New York Times

Which sort of means certain things must happen at specific times in a script.

The Guardian

There are music writers who have inspired me, or specific books, perhaps at specific times.

The Guardian - Music

Crops are also more vulnerable to temperature extremes at specific times.

MIT Technology Review

Nearly all teratogens act at specific times during fetal development and affect the organs then forming.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or tasks, clearly define them to occur "at specific times" to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'the meeting will be sometime next week', state 'the meeting will be on Tuesday at 2:00 PM'.

Common error

Avoid using "at specific times" when the times are not actually defined. Instead of saying 'medication should be taken at specific times', provide precise instructions like 'medication should be taken at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM daily'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at specific times" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurs. As Ludwig AI explains, it denotes that something happens at defined moments. The examples from Ludwig show how it specifies when events are scheduled or actions should be performed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at specific times" serves as an adverbial phrase of time, offering clarity regarding when an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Found frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the times referenced are clearly defined to prevent any ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "at designated times" or "during certain periods" to vary your writing while maintaining similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at particular moments

Replaces "specific" with "particular", emphasizing the distinctness of the moments.

at designated times

Uses "designated" to suggest times that have been officially chosen or assigned.

during certain periods

Substitutes "times" with "periods", broadening the scope to include durations.

on specified occasions

Emphasizes that events happen on particular instances or events.

at scheduled intervals

Highlights the regularity and planning behind the timing of events.

at predetermined moments

Implies the times were decided in advance.

at fixed times

Suggests a rigid and unchanging schedule.

within defined timeframes

Shifts the focus to the duration of time in which something occurs.

at precise instances

Replaces "specific" with "precise" to emphasize accuracy and exactness in timing.

during select hours

Specifically refers to certain hours of the day when something occurs, narrowing the timeframe.

FAQs

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

You can use "at specific times" to indicate when something should happen or be done. For example, "The medication should be taken "at specific times" each day."

What are some alternatives to "at specific times"?

Some alternatives include "at designated times", "during certain periods", or "at scheduled intervals".

Is it better to use "at specific times" or "at certain times"?

"At specific times" and "at certain times" are similar, but "at specific times" implies a higher level of precision and definition. If the times are well-defined, "at specific times" is preferable; otherwise, "at certain times" is more general.

What is the difference between "at specific times" and "at regular intervals"?

"At specific times" refers to particular, designated moments, while "at regular intervals" suggests a recurring pattern with consistent spacing between occurrences. Use "at specific times" when the timing is not necessarily regular or evenly spaced. For example: Medication A needs to be taken "at specific times" during the day, and Medication B needs to be taken "at regular intervals" every 6 hours.