at varying points in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at varying points in time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs at different times or intervals rather than consistently or uniformly. Example: "The project evolved at varying points in time, reflecting the changing needs of the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Future research opportunities may exist to understand the role of innovation at varying points in time during the evolution of family firms.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

In open adoptions, adoptive parents and birth parents often create a written contract outlining each party's responsibilities to send photos, updates, or other correspondence at varying points in time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He will hold back, lunge forward, or stay cagey at varying points in hopes of knocking his opponent off balance.

The New York Times

President Bush has said he wants to build a "layered" system capable of shooting down missiles at varying points in their trajectory.

The New York Times

Actresses Stephanie J. Block, Teal Wicks and Micaela Diamond portray Cher at varying points in her life and career. .

Huffington Post

Coomber did another study where he gathered information from 17 heroin dealers at varying points in the chain of distribution.

Vice

At the memorial service, varying points of view were evident.

The New York Times

There were exceptions to these general patterns, however, which highlights the need to study effects of individual xenoestrogens at different points in time, at varying concentrations, and in different tissues.

Environmental Health Perspectives

For tenants, the choice rules will also change as they do not have to perform net metering but can sell (and buy) their electricity for varying prices at their preferred points in time.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Thus, we examined the status of these molecules in LN229 cells at varying time points after anosmin-1 treatment.

Endocrine-Related Cancer

Cases were also prospectively evaluated for intrabiliary tumor growth by 4 of the authors (J.S.E., M.W.T., S.R.H., and S.C.A ., who specifically looked for the presence of this feature in liver resections at varying time points up until May 2011.

American Journal of Surgical Pathology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at varying points in time" when you want to emphasize that something doesn't happen continuously, but rather at specific, distinct moments or intervals, especially when those moments are not necessarily predictable or evenly spaced.

Common error

Avoid using "at varying points in time" when simpler alternatives like "sometimes" or "occasionally" would suffice. Overusing complex phrases can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at varying points in time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurs. It indicates that the action does not happen continuously or at a fixed moment, but rather at different, distinct instances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a valid English expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at varying points in time" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to specify that something occurs at different, distinct moments rather than continuously. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. While generally neutral in register, it finds common ground in academic, scientific, and news contexts. When using the phrase, consider whether simpler alternatives like "at different times" or "periodically" might be more appropriate to avoid unnecessary verbosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at different times

Replaces 'varying points' with 'different times', simplifying the phrase.

at various times

Substitutes 'varying' with 'various', offering a slightly more formal tone.

at different stages

Emphasizes progression or development rather than specific moments.

at multiple junctures

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the idea of several specific moments.

at intermittent intervals

Highlights the sporadic nature of occurrences.

periodically

Condenses the phrase into a single adverb, indicating recurring instances.

sporadically

Focuses on the irregular or infrequent occurrences.

at irregular intervals

Highlights the lack of a consistent pattern in the timing.

at alternating moments

Suggests a pattern of switching between occurrences.

in stages

Emphasizes a sequential or phased approach over time.

FAQs

What does "at varying points in time" mean?

The phrase "at varying points in time" means that something happens or exists at different moments or intervals, rather than continuously or at a fixed schedule. It indicates that the timing is not uniform or consistent.

How can I use "at varying points in time" in a sentence?

You can use "at varying points in time" to describe when events or actions occur. For instance: "The project evolved "at varying points in time", reflecting the changing needs of the stakeholders."

What can I say instead of "at varying points in time"?

You can use alternatives like "at different times", "at various times", or "periodically" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "at different times" and "at varying points in time"?

While similar, "at different times" is more general. "At varying points in time" suggests a more deliberate selection or observation of specific moments, emphasizing the diversity or change between those moments.