by intermittently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by intermittently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that occurs at irregular intervals or not continuously. Example: "The system was updated by intermittently checking for new software versions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Three recent studies, using either arm-cuff RIC [ 21, 23] or intermittent cardiac RIC by intermittently inflating the catheter balloon in patients managed for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction [ 22], have shown promise in terms of attenuating the rate of CIN, reducing the rate of acute kidney injury by up to 60%%.

Clinical Research in Cardiology

One way to achieve this is by intermittently supply heat to the drying chamber.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Bardacke helped to make this practice real by intermittently giving participants ice cubes to hold, and alternating the experience of unpleasant sensation with calm moments.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is a monosymmetric channel section made by intermittently rivet fastening two torsionally rigid rectangular hollow flanges to a web plate.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

If early Mars was generally arid and cold, impact-induced heating punctuated this surface state by intermittently destabilizing the near-subsurface cryosphere to generate regional-scale hydrothermal systems.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

By intermittently reestablishing blood flow through the vasoconstricted tissue, the risk of developing complications as a consequence of persistent vasoconstriction will be reduced.

Cryobiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

In the lobby, people walk by an intermittently functional Hercules, the largest pinball machine ever made.

The Guardian

A group of women with a sign that read "KYSSEN 10 KR" ("Kiss 10 Kronor") wandered by, chortling intermittently.

The New Yorker

If the style smacks of desperation, enough of the jokes cling to make "Hamlet 2," directed by Andrew Fleming, intermittently funny.

The New York Times

However, SpO2 and RR in the TM group were manually recorded by caregivers intermittently every 2 3 h after the surgery.

JA Clinical Reports

Parasitemia is not detectable by microscopy and only intermittently by other more sensitive methods, such as PCR.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by intermittently", ensure the context clearly indicates the action's sporadic or irregular nature. Avoid using it when a continuous or consistent action is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "by intermittently" when the action is actually frequent or regular. "Intermittently" suggests significant gaps or pauses, not just slight variations in frequency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by intermittently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that the action happens at irregular intervals, not continuously. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by intermittently" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating that an action occurs at irregular intervals. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, particularly in science and news. While not overly formal, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects the intended sporadic nature of the action, as alternatives like "periodically" or "sporadically" may offer similar but subtly different meanings. It is a relatively uncommon phrase, so be mindful of the alternatives if trying to express the same idea in more common language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at irregular intervals

This phrase offers a more descriptive and formal alternative, directly stating the uneven spacing of occurrences.

periodically

This single word conveys a similar meaning, focusing on the regular, though not necessarily continuous, nature of the action.

sporadically

This alternative suggests irregular and infrequent occurrences, emphasizing the lack of a predictable pattern.

at intervals

This shortened version focuses on the spacing between events, rather than their frequency.

by fits and starts

This phrase mirrors the meaning of "in fits and starts", emphasizing irregular and halting progress.

on and off

This alternative uses simpler language to convey the same idea of something occurring at intervals.

in fits and starts

This idiom suggests an action that starts and stops repeatedly, lacking consistency.

from time to time

This phrase is a common idiom indicating occasional occurrence, slightly less formal than "by intermittently".

every so often

This idiom indicates events that happen occasionally, adding a sense of unpredictability.

now and then

Similar to "from time to time", this is a more casual expression for occasional events.

FAQs

How can I use "by intermittently" in a sentence?

You can use "by intermittently" to describe actions that occur at irregular intervals. For example, "The machine was maintained "by intermittently" checking its components."

What are some alternatives to using "by intermittently"?

Alternatives include "periodically", "sporadically", or "at irregular intervals", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "by intermittently" formal or informal?

"By intermittently" is generally considered neutral to formal. While not overly technical, it's suitable for professional and academic writing.

What's the difference between "by intermittently" and "by frequently"?

"By intermittently" implies that something occurs with pauses or gaps in between, whereas "by frequently" suggests that it happens often. They are opposite in meaning.