in bouts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in bouts" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe occurrences or episodes of a particular activity, often in a sporadic or intermittent manner. Example: "He experiences headaches in bouts, sometimes lasting for days at a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

During this time, groups may join together in bouts of calling.

Cornell University

There's a gym that Billy Bob uses when he finds himself in bouts of self-improvement.

The Guardian

It comes in bouts, often arriving when I don't expect it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Men from Dagestan in southern Russia have long wrestled in bouts between mountain villages.

The New York Times

The WHO report says 24.5% of American drinkers engage in bouts of heavy episodic drinking.

The Guardian - Opinion

While sections of America and Europe engage in bouts of angst, many developing nations optimistically forge ahead.

Yale University

Expression of tics typically occurs in bouts that may be separated by seconds or minutes, weeks or even months.

The New York Times - Health

"If you can't get outside, walk around your house in bouts of 10 to 15 minutes, two to three times a day," says Dr. Salamon.

Harvard University

They are also interested in bouts of apparent rapid warming in between ice ages, some 400,000 years ago, and again some 120,000 years ago.

Columbia University

This would not have been entirely out of character, as Poe had engaged in bouts of heavy drinking throughout his life.

Britannica

Later, he carried scraps of paper and stubby pencils into the fields with him, and wrote up his collected observations in bouts of fevered creativity.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in bouts" to describe events or activities that occur with distinct periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity. This helps to highlight the episodic nature of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "in bouts" to describe continuous or consistent actions. The phrase is specifically for things that start and stop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in bouts" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs by specifying how or when an action occurs. Ludwig AI examples show it describing the episodic nature of events like "calling", "self-improvement", or "depression".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

30%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in bouts" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe events that occur intermittently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. The phrase serves to highlight the episodic nature of the described phenomenon. While generally neutral in register, its formal leaning makes it suitable for professional communications. When using "in bouts", ensure that the context accurately reflects the episodic nature of the subject, avoiding its use for continuous actions. Consider alternatives such as "periodically" or "intermittently" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spurts

Implies short, energetic bursts of activity or occurrences.

intermittently

Highlights the stop-and-start nature of the occurrences, emphasizing the breaks between them.

in fits

Suggests sudden, uncontrolled occurrences, often with a negative connotation.

periodically

Focuses on the regularity of the occurrences, implying a defined interval.

sporadically

Emphasizes the irregularity and unpredictability of the occurrences.

at intervals

Suggests occurrences separated by specific periods of time.

in cycles

Implies a repeating pattern of occurrences, often related to natural processes.

from time to time

Indicates occasional occurrences without a set pattern.

now and then

Indicates occasional occurrences with a slightly more casual tone.

on occasion

Similar to "from time to time", suggesting infrequent instances.

FAQs

How can I use "in bouts" in a sentence?

You can use "in bouts" to describe something that happens periodically or intermittently. For example, "He experiences headaches in bouts, sometimes lasting for days at a time."

What's a good alternative to "in bouts"?

Alternatives to "in bouts" include "periodically", "intermittently", or "sporadically" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "in bouts" to describe a continuous activity?

No, "in bouts" is not appropriate for continuous activities. It is best used to describe events that occur with distinct periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity.

What is the difference between "in bouts" and "consistently"?

"In bouts" implies that something happens periodically, whereas "consistently" indicates that something happens continuously without interruption.