at staggered intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at staggered intervals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or actions that occur at varying times rather than simultaneously or at regular intervals. Example: "The trains will arrive at staggered intervals to ensure that passengers have enough time to board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In sprints and individual races, biathletes start at staggered intervals, normally of 30 seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

More prisoners join the strike one at a time at staggered intervals.

The Guardian - Film

But you have to hear Mr. Sands saying them, at staggered intervals, to feel anew just how vibrant Pinter's voice is, even when it is not speaking.

The New York Times

Wheelchairs transport ticketholders, at staggered intervals and one by one, through a labyrinth of rooms, each providing a different, explicitly rendered environment.

The New York Times

The guests, as per invitation, arrived at staggered intervals, for the not-Barnes-&-Noble-scale operation space three cozy rooms and a closet-size nook was hardly meant for crowds.

The New Yorker

The guests, as per invitation, arrived at staggered intervals, for the not-Barnes-&-Noble-scale operation space — three cozy rooms and a closet-size nook — was hardly meant for crowds.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Alternatively, a second loading of the same primer pair at a staggered interval can be used.

Biological Procedures Online

If a product is available in staggered intervals or is completely unavailable or at a particularly onerous price differential, the impetus to pirate is far greater.

TechCrunch

The polls opened and closed in staggered intervals across 11 time zones, from Kamchatka in the far east to Kaliningrad in the west.

The New York Times

Photos of themselves from slightly different angles will be sent to their phone in staggered intervals for the rest of the day.

Vice

On Armstrong's signal, one waterfall of would-be tacklers after another were unleashed — the Ones, followed by the Twos: swift, downfield flows soon met at staggered, eerily soundless intervals by pad-wielding blockers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at staggered intervals" when you want to emphasize that actions or events are deliberately spaced out over time, rather than happening all at once or in a regular pattern. This can create a sense of order or manage flow in a system.

Common error

Avoid using "at staggered intervals" when you simply mean events happen frequently or continuously. The phrase specifically implies a deliberate distribution of events over time, not just a high frequency of occurrence. Use "frequently" or "regularly" instead, if the spacing is not the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at staggered intervals" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. It specifies that events occur sequentially with irregular or varying time gaps between them. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at staggered intervals" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe actions or events occurring sequentially with irregular or varying time gaps. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, the phrase is versatile enough for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure you emphasize the deliberate spacing of events, avoiding confusion with simple frequency. Related phrases like "at irregular intervals" or "at varying times" can provide nuance in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at irregular intervals

Emphasizes the lack of a fixed pattern in the timing of events.

at varying intervals

Highlights the differences in the lengths of time between occurrences.

at different times

A simpler way to express that events do not happen simultaneously.

in stages

Focuses on the sequential, phased nature of the occurrences.

at spaced intervals

Indicates gaps or separation in time between events.

in a sequential manner

Highlights the ordered progression of events.

at offset times

Suggests that events are deliberately scheduled to not coincide.

in a non-simultaneous fashion

A more formal way of saying that events do not happen at the same time.

periodically

Implies occurrences happening repeatedly, but not necessarily at uniform times.

intermittently

Indicates that events stop and start at unpredictable times.

FAQs

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

You can use "at staggered intervals" to describe events that occur at different times, rather than simultaneously. For instance: "The buses arrive "at staggered intervals" to avoid overcrowding at the station."

What can I say instead of "at staggered intervals"?

Alternatives include "at irregular intervals", "at varying intervals", or "at different times", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "at staggered times" instead of "at staggered intervals"?

While "at staggered times" is understandable, ""at staggered intervals"" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Intervals" emphasizes the spacing or gaps between the times.

What's the difference between "at regular intervals" and "at staggered intervals"?

"At regular intervals" implies consistent, predictable spacing between events. "At staggered intervals", on the other hand, suggests that the spacing is uneven or irregular.